I had seen myself screaming at him. I thought I would demand that I confess everything in front of the village or plead for the years I had stolen.
But while I was with Samuel, I realized that Adrian no longer controlled my life.
I looked at the man who had abandoned me when I was fifteen.
Then I looked at Samuel, who held my hand without shame or hesitation.
“I spent years believing I needed your apology so I could heal,” I said to Adrian. But I don’t need it.
His expression collapsed.
“I forgive myself,” I said. That’s enough.
Adrian looked down and backed down.
Then my mother suddenly got up.
“Clara,” he whispered.
I turned to her.
I was crying.
“I should have protected you,” he said. You came to me and I forced you to shut up because I was afraid of what people would say.
