Chapter 18 — Victoria's Final Goodbye
# The Stepmother's Lie
## Chapter 18 — Victoria's Final Goodbye
Several months later, Daniel received one final letter from Victoria's attorney.
Victoria had accepted the divorce judgment.
She would not appeal.
Enclosed was a handwritten note.
Daniel,
I spent so much time trying to replace Sarah...
That I forgot I could never become someone by destroying their memory.
I blamed Lily for reminding everyone that I would always come second.
I know apologies cannot erase what I did.
I don't expect forgiveness.
Please tell Lily...
I'm sorry.
— Victoria
Daniel folded the letter.
He chose not to give it to Lily immediately.
Some wounds deserved time before they were reopened.
Instead, he locked the letter inside Sarah's journal.
One day...
When Lily was older...
She could decide whether forgiveness belonged in her story.
Not Daniel.
Not Victoria.
Only Lily.
