They didn’t hug. There was no soap opera-style reconciliation.
They were just two broken people, sitting in a white room, understanding that some wounds don’t heal with a simple apology.
The following days were a series of statements, medical visits, and awkward silences. Paige was charged with assault and attempted poisoning.
Her defense spoke of pain, trauma, and a broken heart. But the judge was clear that pain does not give one the right to destroy another life.
Gwen did not go to prison, but she lost something that for her was worse, which was the place she believed she had in her brother’s life. Before returning to Petoskey, she went to the hospital.
She stood at the door of the room, not daring to go in. “Nora,” she said, her voice breaking. “I’m not asking for your forgiveness. I just wanted to tell you that I’m ashamed of myself.”
