“You didn’t ask for Mom to die. You didn’t ask me to take care of you. I’ve resented you for the burden, but it was never your fault…and I’m sorry for that.” She dropped her gaze to her coffee, like she couldn’t look at me as she said all this. “I moved to Paris because I was tired of being responsible for you. I was tired of cleaning up your messes. I’m ashamed of that now, because if I’d just taken the time to help you grow into your potential, I would have seen what Fender sees. I would have seen your kindness, your compassion, and your bravery. But I was too busy resenting you to do that.” She lifted her gaze and looked at me, her eyes a bit watery. “I didn’t realize how deeply my resentment affected you…until Fender told me.”

I inhaled a deep breath, feeling my eyes water, because that man was always there for me—even when I wasn’t in the room.

“You’ve always been loyal to me, Melanie. You’ve always been loyal to what we both believe in. But I was too lost in myself to see that. If it weren’t for you, I would have died a long time ago. If it weren’t for you, that camp would still be running this very moment. If it weren’t for both of us, the future would be different for a lot of people. We both played our parts, and I think it was meant to happen. I think we were meant to come here, end that camp, fix those broken men, and together, heal. We’ve lost the same thing that they have—family. But together…we’ve become our own family.”

Tears dripped down my cheeks for the first time since my wedding. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that to forgive myself, to find the closure my soul desperately needed. “I’m still sorry that I got us wrapped up in the first place—”

“Don’t be.” She looked at me with her own watery eyes. “Because I wouldn’t change anything. I had to go through hell to find Magnus—but he was worth it. There’s no one else I could ever be with. He was made for me.”

I nodded because I completely agreed. “I forgive you.”

She inhaled a deep breath. “You do?”

She hadn’t always been as compassionate toward me, but that didn’t matter anymore. “Always.”

Thirty

The Chateau

Fender

An arch in front of the entrance was covered in white flowers, the only decoration they needed. The chateau showed its weathered age, the color of the walls faded, cracks in some places. It was ancient, hundreds of years old, but her bones were strong.

Magnus stood in his tuxedo, his hands in his pockets, looking out at the landscape as he waited for his bride.