Chapter 12 - Celeste's Final Confession
Celeste pleaded guilty to fraud-related offenses.
Before sentencing, she asked to see Mom.
Mom refused.
She asked to see me.
I accepted once.
“Why?”
I wanted the simplest answer.
Celeste looked tired.
“Fear first.”
“And later?”
“Money.”
“Later?”
She cried.
“Habit.”
That answer disturbed me most.
People imagine betrayal requires enormous motivation.
Sometimes repeated wrongdoing becomes routine.
Celeste had spent so many years lying that truth felt dangerous.
“Did my father ever love me?”
I asked.
She hesitated.
“Yes.”
That surprised me.
“Then why did he do this?”
“Because Daniel believes loving someone gives him a claim over them.”
I thought about Nathan.
Different man.
Same disease.
Ownership disguised as love.
I stood.
Celeste said:
“I'm sorry.”
“I know.”
“Do you forgive me?”
“No.”
She nodded.
I left.
May you like
Forgiveness wasn't required for closure.
Sometimes understanding was enough.
