Chapter 24
“That distinction matters.”
“It matters to me.”
“Not yet to me.”
“I understand.”
She looked toward the window.
“Eleanor believes your mother was trying to return the property to herself. Maybe she wanted to leave something for you. Maybe she wanted to protect me. I don’t know.”
“She left a letter.”
Corinne turned back.
“I found it in my father’s office.”
I had brought a copy. I gave it to her.
She read it slowly.
When she reached the final paragraph, her eyes filled, but she did not cry.
“She knew,” Corinne said.
“Yes.”
“She knew what he did and still tried to protect you from it.”
“I think she believed silence would protect me.”
“Sometimes people confuse protection with postponing pain.”
I thought of my own silence.
“My father made her feel as if asking for justice would destroy the family,” I said.
“And you made me feel as if asking for honesty would destroy ours.”
The truth settled between us.
“I’m sorry,” I said again.
This time, she did not answer immediately.
Then she reached toward Owen, who had begun to stir. I adjusted him carefully and handed him back.
Corinne held him against her chest.
“I’m not ready to come home,” she said.
I nodded.
“I’m not asking you to.”
“I’m not ready to promise we’ll stay married.”
“I know.”
“But I’m willing to continue the separation with a structured arrangement. Counseling, if you’re willing. Not to force reconciliation. To learn whether we can become honest co-parents and respectful people to each other.”
“I’m willing.”
“Individually first.”
“Yes.”
“And together only when we both believe it’s useful.”
“Yes.”
She watched me.
“You’re agreeing very easily.”
“I spent years making everything difficult for you because I was afraid of losing control. I don’t want to do that anymore.”
“That sounds good.”
“It doesn’t feel good.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m realizing how much of our life I controlled without admitting I was doing it.”
Corinne looked down at Owen.
“He’s going to need time to know you.”
“I’ll give him time.”
“And I will not lie to him about why we live separately when he is old enough to understand.”
“I don’t want you to.”
“I won’t speak against you.”
“You shouldn’t have to protect me from the truth.”
A faint sadness crossed her face.
“I wanted you to say that a long time ago.”
“I know.”
June appeared at the doorway carrying a tray of tea.