4 years later...Adelyn
I clip my badge to my shirt and take a deep breath.
"This way, Mrs Orlando."
I follow the officer into the room. He pulls out the chair for me and I take a seat.
I slowly look up at the glass in front of me.
When I see him, I feel nothing.
He smiles small.
I reach for the phone and press it to my ear.
"Adelyn." He breathes out. "I didn't believe the guard when he told me it was you! How have you been?"
I clear my throat. "I didn't come here to catch up." I state truthfully.
"Oh." Robert responds.
"Those years ago, that I did visit you... I was giving you false hope. I had never forgiven you, I was lonely and I knew you would be too." I explain honestly. "I shouldn't have done that."
Robert nods slightly. "What are you here to talk about, Adelyn?"
"I'm here to say goodbye." I say sharply.
His face softens and I try to stay strong. I place a supportive hand on my growing stomach.
Robert's eyes sparkle. "You're going to be a Mom again?"
I frown slightly at the fact he knows this is my third pregnancy.
Robert clears his throat. "Your Grandmother sent me your books. I've read both of them probably a hundred times each."
I look down.
I wonder how that made him feel... to read how he made me feel, how he made me hate myself, how I tried to kill myself because of him... how I blamed myself, because of him.
"I deserved every ounce of pain those words brought me." He adds.
I take a deep breath.
"Oh, Adelyn... I wish there is someway that you could forgive me... but it's clear there isn't."
I swallow the lump in my throat. "That's what I came here to tell you."
He eyes look up to me.
"There is one way that I can forgive you." I reason.
"Really?"
I nod. "But you'll have to work for it."
"I'll do anything, Adelyn." He says truthfully.
"When you get out of here, I want you to move countries." I explain. "I want you to never ever, contact myself or my family. I don't ever want you to mention my name to anyone, and I want you to start over. If you truly want me to forgive you, I want you to find a partner, whom you love. I want you to promise you will never touch a drop of alcohol again, same for drugs."
"Adelyn-"
"This is my request. If you want me to forgive you, this is what you will do. If you succeed, you will know that I have forgiven you." I explain as my eyes begin to sting.
"Ok." Robert agrees. "That is exactly what I will do."
I nod my head slightly.
"I'm so sorry, Adelyn. I'm sorry it had to come to this... but I will do anything for you to forgive me... so I will move on. I will never contact you or your family, ever. You have my word."
"Ok." I nod and take a deep breath.
"Goodbye, Mrs Orlando... Ethan is a lucky guy."
"Yes, he is." I agree. "Goodbye." I say and hang the phone up.
I notice the tears that begin to puddle under his eyes. I stand up and wave slightly before the guard ushers be out.
I sign out before walking out of the correctional facility.
A small smile appears as I notice Ethan leaning on the car.
"Adelyn?" He questions as I approach him. "Is everything ok? What happened?"
I take a deep breath. "He agreed. He's going to move on, never contact me."
Ethan nods. "But, how do you feel? Are you ok?"
"I feel like the first time since I was twelve, I can finally breath again." I admit as I take in the fresh air.
Ethan's concern washes away and is replaced with a smile.
YOU ARE READING
My Safe Place
RomanceWhen I follow his gaze- I realise he's been staring at her the whole time. My heart shatters. How could I have been so blind? Adelyn hasn't noticed us. But that didn't stop my boyfriend from staring at my best friend. // Adelyn and Isabelle had...