Chapter 8 - MARGARET'S LETTERMargaret wrote to Sophie when Sophie turned sixteen.
She had been out of custody for some time.
Still estranged.
The letter arrived through an attorney.
Evelyn didn't open it.
She gave Sophie the choice.
Sophie read it.
Then became angry.
“She keeps talking about the family.”
Evelyn said nothing.
Sophie handed her the letter.
Margaret wrote about heritage.
Legacy.
Regret.
She apologized, but repeatedly described herself as having been “desperate to protect Whitmore assets.”
Even now.
Assets.
Evelyn returned it.
“What do you think?”
“I think she still thinks the money was hers.”
“Probably.”
“Can I write back?”
“Yes.”
Sophie wrote three sentences.
Grandma,
I am not an asset.
My mother is not an obstacle.
My money is not your family.
Sophie.
Evelyn read it.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
They mailed it.
Margaret never replied.
Richard later heard about the letter.
He laughed.
“That is definitely your daughter.”
Evelyn corrected him.
“Our daughter.”
Richard smiled.
“Fair.”
Years later, Margaret requested one meeting.
Sophie was twenty-one.
An adult.
She agreed.
Evelyn didn't attend.
Neither did Richard.
Sophie went with her own attorney because she had apparently inherited Rachel's level of caution.
Margaret looked old.
Smaller.
She told Sophie:
“I wanted to preserve what our family built.”
Sophie answered:
“You almost destroyed the family to preserve the money.”
Margaret cried.
Sophie did not.
Then Margaret finally asked:
“Do you hate me?”
“No.”
“Can you forgive me?”
Sophie considered.
“I wasn't the person you hurt most.”
Margaret looked down.
“You need Mom for that.”
“She won't see me.”
“That is her answer.”
May you like
Margaret understood.
Perhaps for the first time.
