Chapter 5
The next morning, I woke up early as always.
But when I walked into the kitchen, everything was different.
Vanessa was already there.
She wore an apron over her clothes.
She was trying to make coffee.
It spilled everywhere.
“I have no idea what I’m doing,” she said, flustered.
I almost smiled.
“Let me show you,” I said.
For the first time, we stood side by side, not as mistress and maid.
Just two people learning to get along.
“Your mother… how is she?” Vanessa asked softly.
“Better now,” I said.
“But she needs constant care.”
Vanessa nodded.
“I want to go see her. I want to apologize to her too.”
I looked at her carefully.
“Only if you mean it.”
“I do,” she said firmly.
Later that day, we drove to my small home on the edge of town.
When my mother saw us, she stood up in surprise.
Vanessa walked straight to her and bowed her head.
“I am so sorry for what I did to your daughter. I was selfish and cruel.”
My mother looked at me, then back at Vanessa.
“Everyone makes mistakes, child. The true test is whether you learn from them.”
Vanessa cried then.
Really cried.
All the walls she’d built came crashing down.
May you like
I put my hand on her shoulder.
For the first time, she leaned into my touch.
