Chapter 13: The Visitor
A month later, Julian visited the state penitentiary. He walked down the long, sterile corridor using only a lightweight cane, his posture erect and dignified.
He sat down at the visitor window. Moments later, Arthur was led in, wearing an orange jumpsuit. Arthur looked pale and hollow, the ambition that had once consumed him completely extinguished.
Arthur looked at Julian, his eyes lingering on the cane leaning against the chair. A faint, sad smile touched Arthur's lips. "You're walking."
"I am," Julian said gently.
"I don't expect you to forgive me, Julian," Arthur said, looking down at his cuffed hands. "I don't even know if I can forgive myself."
"Forgiveness isn't about forgetting what happened, Arthur," Julian replied. "It's about letting go of the hatred so it doesn't consume the rest of my life. I came here today to tell you that I don't hate you."
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Arthur looked up, tears overflowing. "I lost everything trying to be like you."
"You never had to be like me," Julian said softly. "You just had to be my brother."
