Margaret reached into her handbag and removed a small envelope. She explained that Lisa had written her a letter shortly before the accident. Margaret had never received it because it had been delivered to an old address and eventually returned. She had only discovered it recently while organizing some family belongings. The letter contained an apology and an invitation to reconnect. Lisa had written that she missed their friendship and hoped they could finally put the past behind them. Margaret had been planning to contact her when she heard the heartbreaking news about the accident.

She handed me the letter, and I recognized Lisa’s handwriting immediately. My hands trembled as I read her words. My daughter had apparently wanted to rebuild the friendship for years but had struggled to find the courage. Margaret cried as she explained that she would have forgiven Lisa immediately. Ellie listened quietly, then asked whether Margaret had known her mother when she was little. Margaret nodded and gently took her hand. She told Ellie that she had once promised Lisa she would always look after the people she loved. And now, she wanted to keep that promise.