Chapter 7 - RICHARD WITHOUT THE SUITRichard's first genuine apology came almost two years later.
Not to Emma.
To Oliver.
The boy couldn't understand it.
That was why Emma believed part of it.
Richard sat during supervised family counseling.
No expensive suit.
No polished performance.
“I wasn't there when you were born the way I should've been.”
Oliver played with a wooden truck.
Richard continued.
“I hurt your mother.”
Emma watched carefully.
No excuses.
“I cared more about winning than being your dad.”
The counselor eventually stopped him.
Oliver was too young for adult confession.
Richard needed to demonstrate change, not unload guilt onto a child.
That lesson was important.
Apology wasn't dumping remorse into the victim's lap.
Richard began doing harder things.
Showing up on time.
Following parenting plans.
Not criticizing Emma during exchanges.
Accepting that Vanessa was gone without blaming Emma.
Working again—at a smaller firm, without family status.
For the first time, Richard lived without the Cross name automatically opening doors.
It humbled him.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Emma did not reconcile.
Change did not create entitlement to her return.
When Richard once asked:
“Is there any chance?”
Emma answered:
“No.”
He looked devastated.
She didn't soften it.
Then he nodded.
May you like
“Okay.”
That “okay” was more respectful than many of the romantic promises he'd made during marriage.
