Chapter 17 - The LetterOne winter morning, a letter arrived.
It came from federal prison.
Preston had written it.
Alivia held the envelope for several seconds.
Leo noticed.
“You don't have to open it.”
“I know.”
She opened it anyway.
The letter contained apologies.
Excuses.
Regret.
He claimed prison had changed him.
Alivia read every word.
Then she folded the pages.
She did not forgive him.
She did not hate him either.
She simply refused to carry him anymore.
She placed the letter in a drawer.
Then she walked outside.
The ocean was waiting.
May you like
She breathed deeply.
And kept walking.
Related Stories
Chapter 18 - The Next GenerationYears later, the Vance Foundation opened its largest center in Manhattan.
Chapter 19 - The Open DoorOne evening, Alivia and Leo returned to Newport.
Chapter 20 - The Future Has No ContractYears earlier, Alivia had walked toward an altar believing she was walking toward the end of her freedom.
