Chapter 12 - ISABELLA’S LETTERFrom prison, Isabella wrote Elena.
Elena almost threw it away.
Then opened it.
I hated you before I met you.
Promising beginning.
Isabella admitted she knew about the chandelier.
But claimed Harrison ordered it after Michael identified Elena as the likely holder of Sofia’s records.
She did not stop him.
She also knew Matteo might be beneath it.
That part mattered.
I told myself the timing would be controlled.
Elena stared.
Controlled.
The universal lie of dangerous people.
Isabella continued:
I believed damage could be managed.
No.
It couldn't.
Forty-two glass fragments proved that.
Then:
I am sorry.
Elena did not answer.
Weeks later another letter arrived.
No explanation.
Only:
You did not deserve what I did. Matteo did not deserve it. Sofia did not deserve it.
Better.
Still no answer.
Forgiveness was not correspondence.
Dante asked:
“Do you hate her?”
“Less.”
“Why?”
“Hatred is expensive.”
He nodded.
“Very.”
May you like
Elena looked at him.
“Progress.”
