Chapter 23 - THE FATHER WHO FINALLY APOLOGIZESAugust and Maris sat on the seawall behind Seabrook Crown.
No ballroom.
No office.
No board.
Eden slept in a stroller nearby.
The Atlantic moved in darkness.
August said:
“I owe you the whole apology.”
Maris looked at him.
“You’ve apologized.”
“In pieces.”
“True.”
He took a breath.
“I was right about Caleb.”
Maris’s face tightened.
August continued immediately.
“And wrong about you.”
She stared.
He looked toward the water.
“I believed recognizing his ambition gave me the right to control your choice.”
Maris said nothing.
“I believed being older made me wiser.”
“Sometimes.”
“Yes.”
He almost smiled.
“But wisdom without respect became control.”
Maris looked at him.
Those words were difficult for August.
Good.
He continued:
“When you refused me, I made love conditional.”
Her throat tightened.
“If you walk out with him, don’t come back.”
“Yes.”
August’s voice broke slightly.
“I thought I was drawing a boundary.”
“You were punishing me.”
“Yes.”
Maris looked away.
He continued:
“And when you left, I waited.”
“For me to fail.”
“For you to need me.”
“Same difference.”
“Yes.”
August swallowed.
“I watched you build a life. I told myself I was respecting your request for distance.”
He shook his head.
“I was afraid to admit I had been wrong.”
Maris’s eyes filled.
This was the first time she had cried since the gala.
Not when Genevieve poured wine.
Not when Caleb’s secrets surfaced.
Now.
August saw.
He did not touch her.
Good.
“You missed eight years.”
“Yes.”
“You missed my pregnancy.”
“Yes.”
“You missed Eden being born.”
His face broke.
“Yes.”
“You missed when Caleb left.”
“Yes.”
“You could have called.”
“I should have.”
Maris wiped her eyes angrily.
“I hated you.”
“I know.”
“I still loved you.”
August looked down.
“That was worse.”
“Yes.”
She laughed through tears.
He did too.
Then August said:
“I am not asking you to pretend those years didn’t happen.”
“Good.”
“I want whatever years you are willing to give me now.”
Maris looked toward Eden.
Her daughter stirred.
August waited.
For once.
No argument.
No persuasion.
Maris finally leaned her head against his shoulder.
Just briefly.
August closed his eyes.
He did not move.
A few seconds later Maris sat upright.
“That’s all you get tonight.”
He laughed quietly.
“I’ll take it.”
Then Eden woke.
Saw August.
Reached both arms toward him.
Maris sighed.
“She’s weak.”
August smiled.
“Excellent judgment.”
May you like
He lifted his granddaughter.
And for once, Maris let him.
