Chapter 9 - The Full Circle
Two years after the day I stood in the Blue Ridge Estate kitchen, I received an invitation in the mail.
It was an elegant gold-embossed card: The Wedding of Julian Whitmore and Sophia Montgomery.
Julian was Daniel's older brother.
I sat at my desk, looking at the formal invitation. Attached was a handwritten note from Richard Whitmore:
Emily, I know you have no reason to attend, but I wanted you to know that the catering for this wedding is being provided by Heritage Platinum—the full package, paid for entirely by me. Patricia and I finalised our divorce last month. Daniel has moved to Atlanta and is starting over. You taught our family a lesson we desperately needed to learn. I wish you nothing but the absolute best in life. Warmly, Richard.
May you like
I read the note twice, set it down gently on my desk, and picked up my pen.
I checked the box labeled Regretfully Declines, slid the card into the pre-addressed envelope, and dropped it into the outgoing mail tray. I didn't need to attend their events, and I didn't need their validation. My debt to the Whitmore family was settled in full.
