Chapter 13: A Visit to the Cell
The state penitentiary was a cold, grey structure of steel and concrete. I sat across the glass partition, waiting.
When Victor walked in, he looked shockingly different. His sharp suit was replaced by a coarse orange jumpsuit, his groomed hair now unkempt. But the burning anger in his eyes had softened into an overwhelming exhaustion.
He picked up the phone. I did the same.
""Why are you here, Julian?"" Victor asked, his tone devoid of its former arrogance. ""To gloat?""
""No,"" I replied through the receiver. ""I came to bring you this.""
I pressed a photo against the glass. It was a picture of Lily and Evelyn playing in the garden, smiling brightly under the summer sun, holding hands.
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""They know about you, Victor,"" I said gently. ""They know you made mistakes. But I told them that family means giving people a chance to heal.""
Victor stared at the photo. A single tear slipped down his weathered cheek, cutting through his hardened facade. He closed his eyes and nodded slowly. ""I'm sorry, Julian. I'm so sorry.""
