Maya read the last paragraph twice.
I do not expect forgiveness.
I hope one day the dress means your mother and grandmother more strongly than it means me.
Vanessa.
Maya folded the letter.
“What do you think?” Marcus asked.
“I don’t know.”
“That’s allowed.”
“She knew.”
“What?”
“That you could refill the money.”
“Yes.”
“That makes me mad.”
Marcus frowned.
“Why that part?”
“Because she thought stealing from me didn’t count because you’re rich.”
Marcus nodded slowly.
Maya looked at him.
“That happens a lot.”
“What?”
“People think I can’t lose things.”
His face changed.
“Because of money?”
“Yes.”
She touched the repaired pink dress hanging inside the wardrobe.
“You can buy another dress.”
He understood.
She continued.
“Another bag.”
“Yes.”
“Another anything.”
“No.”
Marcus shook his head.
“Not anything.”
Maya looked at him.
He pointed toward the dress.
“Money bought fabric.”
Then touched his chest.
“Not that.”
She smiled faintly.
“So cheesy.”
“I’m your father.”
“That’s not an excuse.”
“It is legally recognized.”
She laughed.
That was the first time Vanessa’s letter existed in the house without controlling the mood.
The divorce finalized eight months later.
Marcus did not celebrate.
Maya expected him to.
One evening she found him sitting alone in the kitchen looking at an old wedding photograph on his phone.
“You miss her?”
Marcus locked the screen.
“Sometimes.”
Maya frowned.
“After everything?”
“Yes.”
“That’s weird.”
“I know.”
“Do you want her back?”
“No.”
“Then what do you miss?”
Marcus thought.
“Things that were real.”
Maya sat across from him.
“Was anything real?”
“Yes.”
He believed that.
Vanessa had laughed at his terrible jokes.
Sat beside him through two anniversaries of Camille’s death.
Held his hand before business presentations when nobody else knew he was anxious.
Made breakfast with Maya.
Helped choose Christmas gifts.
Watched movies.
Built ordinary memories.
The fact that she also lied did not erase them.
Maya looked skeptical.
“How can someone love you and steal?”
Marcus smiled sadly.
“People are very talented at being more than one thing.”
“Sounds inconvenient.”
“Extremely.”
“Do you forgive her?”
“I don’t know.”
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
“Because sometimes I don’t know is the most honest answer.”