“Time.”
“Patience.”
“And the choice to speak when I was ready.”
After the event, Margaret returned to her room.
She looked tired.
But lighter.
Claire followed.
Nathan came behind her.
Sophie lingered at the door.
Margaret saw her.
“Get in here.”
Sophie laughed.
“Yes, ma’am.”
They sat together.
For once, no one mentioned Richard.
They talked about ordinary things.
Bad coffee.
A crossword clue.
Claire’s youngest daughter’s driving test.
Nathan’s terrible cooking.
The weather.
It felt almost absurd.
After everything, normal conversation felt miraculous.
Margaret realized that was what she had wanted all along.
Not revenge.
Not headlines.
Not punishment.
A family sitting in one room.
Without fear.
PART 10
Three months later, Sophie received a letter.
She had returned to nursing school.
Willow Creek had helped arrange her schedule.
Margaret had insisted.
“You’re too nosy to remain a caregiver forever.”
Sophie laughed.
“That’s your way of encouraging me?”
