Chapter 23 - Emily Faces Brad
After sentencing, Emily agreed to one supervised meeting.
Brad entered wearing prison clothing.
He appeared smaller than she remembered.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Emily waited.
“I loved you.”
“You loved what I built.”
“That isn’t true.”
“You forged my name.”
“I thought I was saving the company.”
“You celebrated owning it while I was missing.”
Brad lowered his eyes.
“I didn’t know Cole took you.”
“You knew your mother sent me somewhere after I was struck.”
He began crying.
Emily remained calm.
“You want forgiveness because guilt is uncomfortable.”
“I want you to know I regret it.”
“I believe you regret the consequences.”
The distinction silenced him.
Emily removed the engagement ring from an evidence envelope.
She placed it on the table.
Brad looked at it.
“I don’t want it,” he whispered.
May you like
“Neither do I.”
She left it there.
