Chapter 9 - Max Finally Lost His SmileThree weeks later, Max came to our house.
He looked exhausted.
Without his usual confidence, he seemed much younger than twenty.
“I need to talk to Rose.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“She said no.”
He looked at me.
“I screwed up.”
“Yes.”
“I didn't know Mom would keep the passport.”
“That doesn't erase what you did.”
“I know.”
For once, he didn't argue.
Then he said something unexpected.
“My mom told me Rose thought she was better than us.”
I studied him.
“Did Rose ever say that?”
“No.”
“Then why did you believe it?”
He had no answer.
Before leaving, he handed me an envelope.
Inside was a handwritten apology to Rose.
I didn't give it to her immediately.
I told her it existed.
She chose whether to read it.
Two days later, she did.
She didn't forgive him.
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But she kept the letter.
Sometimes accountability begins long before forgiveness.
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