“Are you apologizing because you’re sorry, or because everything changed?” I asked.

She flinched. The question hung between us like smoke.

“Both,” she finally admitted. “I’m ashamed to say it, but both,” she said.

“You let Dad call me worthless in front of family, in front of business partners. You never defended me. Not once,” I said.

“I know,” she said. A tear slipped down her cheek.

“I know. And I can never undo it. But Cecily, I don’t want to lose you entirely. I don’t know if that’s even possible anymore, but I had to try,” she said.