Chapter 22 - Celeste’s Apology
Celeste requested one supervised restorative meeting.
Not with Emma.
With Daniel.
He almost refused.
Rosa surprised him.
“You should consider it.”
“Why?”
“So you stop rehearsing arguments with her in your head.”
“I don’t.”
“You absolutely do.”
Annoying.
Correct.
The meeting took place in a counselor’s office.
Celeste looked different.
Simpler clothes.
No diamonds.
Hair tied back.
Daniel hated that part of him noticed.
She sat.
“Thank you.”
“I haven’t forgiven you.”
“I know.”
“I may never.”
“I know.”
He waited.
Celeste began.
“I want to apologize without asking for anything.”
Good start.
“I used Emma.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“I knew Owen wanted a public reaction from you. I knew Emma would be involved. I told myself she would never actually be in danger.”
Her voice shook.
“I let wanting the deal blind me.”
Daniel said nothing.
“I also hurt her before that.”
“The shoes.”
“Yes.”
“Julia.”
“Yes.”
Celeste cried.
“I hated living in a house where a dead woman was better than me.”
Daniel almost defended Julia.
Stopped.
This was not about comparison.
Celeste continued.
“I kept thinking if Emma stopped talking about Julia, the marriage would feel more mine.”
“That is not how children work.”
“I know.”
“You wanted a six-year-old to erase her mother so you would feel secure.”
“Yes.”
Daniel looked away.
The counselor let silence sit.
Celeste continued.
“I did love Emma sometimes.”
Daniel stiffened.
“I know that sounds disgusting.”
“No.”
She looked surprised.
“It sounds human.”
Tears came harder.
Daniel continued.
“Love did not stop you from harming her.”
“No.”
“That is what matters.”
Celeste nodded.
“I wrote her a letter.”
Daniel immediately said:
“No.”
“I’m not asking you to give it now.”
“Good.”
“Ever, only if a therapist thinks it helps.”
He considered.
“Give it to Nora.”
Celeste nodded.
Then:
“I heard about Every Step.”
Daniel almost laughed.
“Of course.”
“She chose the name?”
“Yes.”
Celeste smiled faintly.
“That sounds like Emma.”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“Do not turn this sentimental.”
She lowered her eyes.
“Sorry.”
Another pause.
“Daniel?”
“Yes?”
“Was there ever a chance you would have stayed?”
He thought.
After the money?
Maybe.
After Baybridge?
Possibly with enormous work.
After the setup?
No.
“Not after Emma.”
Celeste nodded.
“That’s what I thought.”
Daniel stood when the session ended.
Celeste did not reach for him.
Good.
At the door, he stopped.
“Celeste.”
She looked up.
“I hope you become someone who never does this again.”
Her face broke.
“That isn’t forgiveness.”
“No.”
“What is it?”
Daniel thought.
“Distance without wishing you destruction.”
Celeste nodded.
“I’ll take it.”
Daniel left.
Outside, Rosa waited in her car.
“You came?”
“You asked me to drive you.”
“I could drive.”
“I know.”
He got in.
“How was it?”
“Awful.”
“Useful?”
“Maybe.”
Rosa started the engine.
Daniel looked at her.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Not saving me.”
She smiled.
“I learned from Julia.”
He laughed.
Then grew quiet.
Celeste’s apology did not repair anything.
But it moved her out of the role Daniel had created in his mind.
Not monster.
Not misunderstood wife.
May you like
A person who made deliberate harmful choices, admitted some, and would live with consequences.
That was enough.
