Chapter 13 - THE WOMAN WHO FINALLY FORGAVE HERSELF
For years, I'd blamed myself.
For leaving Ethan.
For hiding Lily.
For letting fear decide our future.
But one afternoon, I sat with a counselor and finally said the words I'd been afraid to admit.
"I thought I was protecting her."
The counselor nodded.
"You were making decisions under threat."
I swallowed.
"But I took her father away."
"You also kept her safe during a frightening time."
My eyes filled.
"Both things can be true."
I sat in silence.
Then began crying.
Not because the past had changed.
But because I was finally allowing myself to stop punishing the woman I'd been.
That evening, I told Ethan.
He listened.
Then took my hand.
"Rosa."
I looked at him.
"We lost time."
I nodded.
He continued.
"But we don't have to lose the rest of our lives grieving it."
My eyes filled.
May you like
He kissed my forehead.
"We're here now."
