Chapter 14 - SISTERS
Two years after the ballroom, Simone and Deline met for coffee.
First time alone.
No lawyers.
No partners.
No family.
Deline brought a garment bag.
Simone stared.
“No.”
Deline laughed.
“Not scissors.”
Inside was a pale-blue coat.
Simple.
Beautiful.
“I made it.”
Simone blinked.
Deline had taken sewing classes.
At first court-required anger work suggested tactile hobbies.
She chose tailoring because she hated that the worst thing she had done involved fabric.
Then she learned she loved construction.
Not destruction.
Simone touched the coat.
“You don’t have to wear it.”
“I know.”
“Why give it to me?”
“Because I owe you something made slowly.”
Simone looked at her.
That sentence mattered.
The wedding attack happened in seconds.
Repair took years.
Then Deline said:
“I still get jealous.”
Simone laughed.
“Of what?”
“You. Julian. Your life.”
“Good.”
Deline stared.
“Good?”
“Jealousy isn’t violence. It’s information.”
Deline smiled.
“Therapy language.”
“Absolutely.”
Then Simone admitted:
“I still don’t fully trust you.”
“I know.”
“Maybe I never will.”
“I know.”
Deline nodded.
No demand.
Then Simone put on the coat.
It fit.
May you like
Of course it did.
Deline had always known her measurements.
