Chapter 4: A Mother's Door
Margaret returned to the small apartment she had rented after selling the lake house.
There was no luxury.
Just a bookshelf.
A single armchair.
Family photographs.
And silence.
A knock came just before midnight.
She already knew who it was.
When she opened the door, Ethan stood outside.
Still wearing his tuxedo.
His bow tie hung loose.
His eyes were swollen.
He looked less like a groom...
And more like a frightened little boy.
"I'm sorry."
She said nothing.
He dropped to his knees.
"I don't deserve forgiveness."
"No," she answered honestly.
"I believed lies."
"You chose to."
"I thought you embarrassed me."
"I never tried to."
He looked around the tiny apartment.
"Where's home?"
She smiled sadly.
"I sold it."
"I know."
Neither spoke for a long time.
Finally Ethan whispered,
"You gave me everything."
"I gave you opportunities."
"And I repaid you with humiliation."
Margaret reached down and gently touched his face.
"You became a man who cared too much about appearances."
"I don't want to be that man anymore."
She believed he meant it.
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But trust wasn't rebuilt with apologies.
Only with time.
