Chapter 28 - Trevor’s Letter
A letter arrived from prison.
Trevor had written twelve pages.
He described loneliness, betrayal, and regret.
He claimed prison therapy helped him understand his anger.
He apologized for “the mistakes we both made.”
Rebecca stopped reading.
Even his apology demanded shared responsibility.
She gave the letter to her attorney.
Trevor requested photographs of Emma and Matthew.
Rebecca declined.
The children could decide when they were older.
He filed a motion challenging the restriction.
The court denied it.
Trevor wrote again.
This time, the letter contained only one sentence.
I know you still love me.
Rebecca burned neither letter.
She stored them with legal records.
Evidence of how control tried to survive distance.
During counseling, she admitted part of her once did love him.
That truth no longer embarrassed her.
Love did not make his violence less real.
His violence did not make her earlier love foolish.
She had trusted someone who chose to exploit trust.
The shame belonged to him.
That evening, Rebecca stood at the Red Door Center as rain fell outside.
She heard three knocks.
For a moment, her body remembered everything.
Then she opened the door.
A frightened woman stood outside holding a toddler.
May you like
Rebecca stepped aside.
“Come in.”
