Chapter 14 - NAOMI FINALLY APOLOGIZESNaomi had already apologized immediately.
But she had not given Eli full apology without crisis.
Dr. Cole suggested.
They sat living room.
Same sofa.
Cigarette gone.
Naomi’s hands folded.
“I want say something without you answering.”
Eli suspicious.
“Okay.”
“I slapped you.”
He looked away.
“I was angry because cigarette, because how you spoke to me, and because I felt disrespected.”
She paused.
“Those are explanations, not excuses.”
Eli looked.
“I am adult.”
“I had other choices.”
“I could walk away.”
“Call Dad.”
“Take space.”
“I chose wrong.”
His eyes watered but he resisted.
“I’m sorry.”
Silence.
Then:
“You scared me.”
Naomi’s chest tightened.
“I know.”
“I thought you might hit again.”
“I won’t.”
“How know?”
“Because I made plan.”
“I’m in counseling.”
“If I feel that angry, I leave room.”
Eli:
“What if I call you nobody?”
Naomi’s mouth twitched painfully.
“I leave room.”
“What if I smoke?”
“We handle.”
“No hitting.”
He nodded.
Then:
“You still aren’t my mom.”
Naomi smiled sadly.
“I know.”
“I mean…”
He struggled.
“You act like…”
“What?”
“Like you care.”
“I do.”
“That’s weird.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re not Mom.”
“Care isn't title.”
He looked down.
Naomi:
“I will never ask you choose me over her.”
“Mom says…”
He stopped.
“What?”
“She said you’d rather she disappeared.”
Naomi:
“No.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Even after all?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you love her.”
Simple.
Eli’s face cracked.
He cried.
Naomi did not hug until he leaned.
Then she did.
Not mother replacing.
Stepmother comforting.
After minute he pulled.
“Don’t make big deal.”
“Never.”
That night, Eli texted Tessa:
Naomi apologized.
Tessa:
Good. She should.
Then:
How do you feel?
Eli:
idk
Tessa resisted poisoning.
You can forgive if you want. Doesn't mean I’m less your mom.
Eli stared.
That was new.
Therapy influencing.
He replied heart? Maybe too. Just "ok."
Naomi's apology did not erase.
May you like
But it removed one weapon from family power war.
Because accountability made room for truth.
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