Chapter 15: The Apology
231 Words
Sunday night. Aria's apartment.
There was a knock on the door.
Aria opened it. Damian was there. With flowers.
"Can we talk?" Damian asked.
Aria let him in. Emma was already asleep.
They sat in the living room. Silence.
"I've been practicing what to say for 3 years," Damian started. "But now that I'm here, I don't know where to start."
Aria waited.
"I was wrong," Damian said. His voice broke. "About everything. I believed lies. I let my pride ruin us. I abandoned you and Emma when you needed me most."
Aria's eyes watered.
"I don't expect you to forgive me," Damian continued. "I don't deserve it. But I need you to know that I regret it every single day. I think about it every night."
Damian looked down. "I lost the best thing that ever happened to me. And I'm terrified of losing Emma too."
Aria was quiet for a long time.
Then she whispered, "You did hurt me, Damian. Really bad."
"I know," Damian said. "And I'm so sorry."
Aria wiped a tear. "But... Emma loves you. And she deserves to have a dad who tries."
Damian looked up. "Does that mean...?"
Aria sighed. "It means I'm willing to try. For Emma. One day at a time."
Damian nodded, crying. "Thank you. That's all I ask."
As Damian left, Aria closed the door. And finally let herself cry.
- Writer
