Chapter 14 - THE WOMAN I NEVER EXPECTED TO THANK
Natalie Reed and I met again nearly a year after the dinner.
We chose a café in Manhattan.
Neutral ground.
No Graham.
No lawyers.
Just two women who had been hurt by the same man in different ways.
Natalie looked nervous.
“I wasn't sure you'd come.”
I sat down.
“Neither was I.”
She smiled faintly.
Then grew serious.
“I'm sorry.”
I looked at her.
She continued.
“I knew about you. I knew you were pregnant. I made excuses because I wanted to believe Graham loved me.”
I listened.
“I hurt you.”
“Yes,” I said.
Her eyes filled.
“I know.”
I took a breath.
“I don't know if we'll ever be friends.”
She nodded.
“I understand.”
“But you told the truth when it mattered.”
Natalie looked down.
“I should have told it sooner.”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Then I said:
“I hope you build a better life.”
She began crying.
“Thank you.”
I stood.
Before leaving, I looked back.
“Natalie?”
She raised her eyes.
“Don't let another man convince you that hurting someone else is proof he loves you.”
She nodded.
May you like
“I won't.”
And for the first time, I walked away from that chapter of my life without carrying all its anger with me.
