The Last Letter
Chapter 19 - The Last Letter
Dominic had accepted a plea agreement.
He would spend his final years paying for crimes he once believed money could erase.
Lily almost threw the letter away.
Ethan stopped her.
"You don't have to forgive him."
"I know."
"But maybe read it once."
She did.
Dominic didn't ask for forgiveness.
For perhaps the first time in his life, he didn't defend himself.
He admitted he had loved control more than he loved Sarah.
He had convinced himself that protecting the family meant controlling it.
By the time he understood what he had done, pride kept him from admitting it.
His final sentence read:
"I thought losing control was the worst thing that could happen to a family. I was wrong. Losing the family is."
Lily folded the letter.
"Do you forgive him?" Ethan asked.
"No."
She paused.
"But I'm done carrying him."
She burned the letter in the fireplace.
Then she walked outside.
Sarah's Place was officially opening the following morning.
Dozens of families would arrive.
Lily looked at the building.
At Ray.
At Ethan.
The photograph that had once represented everything stolen from them was now framed inside the entrance.
Underneath it were four simple words.
May you like
"Truth brings people home."
And the next morning, the doors finally opened.
