Chapter 14
Vera left Harlan.
Not immediately.
Four months later.
She told Grace before telling me.
Interesting.
When we finally spoke, she looked exhausted but clear.
“He keeps saying the safety catch was the only mistake.”
I stared.
Meaning the spectacle itself remained acceptable to him.
“Yes.”
“He says if he hadn’t removed it, everyone would call the night brilliant.”
Maybe some would.
That was the problem.
She continued.
“I kept trying to make him understand Nina was terrified.”
“And?”
“He said fear was the point.”
There.
No movement.
No remorse.
She had finally heard her own earlier logic coming from someone she no longer trusted.
Sometimes reflection does what accusation cannot.
“I helped build that.”
“Yes.”
She flinched.
No softening.
Then:
“I don’t know what to do with that.”
“Live differently.”
Simple.
Hard.
She nodded.
May you like
No request for forgiveness.
Better.
