Chapter 23 - LORRAINE FINALLY SAID ITTwo months later Olivia received letter.
From Lorraine.
She nearly threw away.
Then opened.
Olivia,
I have spent years blaming you because it was easier than admitting I was jealous of you.
Olivia stopped.
Read again.
Lorraine continued.
She resented Olivia’s earnings because Mark resented them.
She encouraged Olivia to quit because she believed a wife who earned less would make son stronger.
She preferred Vanessa because Vanessa performed wealth in a way that flattered Lorraine.
Then the hardest sentence:
I knew you paid for most of the house. I still told people Mark provided it because I wanted my son to look successful.
Olivia’s eyes filled.
Finally.
Truth.
Then:
When Vanessa came, I thought she would give Mark the life I wanted people to think he already had.
Instead she took the life you helped build.
Lorraine did not ask forgiveness.
She wrote:
You warned me only once: “Remember you chose her.” I remember every day.
Olivia folded letter.
No satisfaction exactly.
Something quieter.
Closure.
She did not respond immediately.
Eventually sent:
May you like
Thank you for telling truth. I hope you keep doing it.
Nothing else.
