Chapter 13: Caroline’s Regret
Caroline tried to reach out more frequently as time went on.
At first, her messages were angry and demanding. She accused Sawyer of turning Gracie against her and keeping her from her daughter out of spite.
But after a few months, her tone changed.
The messages became softer. She started apologizing. She said she was in therapy. She said she realized how badly she had messed up. She begged Sawyer to let her see Gracie, even if it was just for an hour.
Sawyer read every message carefully.
He didn’t hate Caroline. Part of him still cared about the woman he had once loved. But he couldn’t risk Gracie’s safety or emotional progress.
One evening, Caroline called him directly.
He almost didn’t answer, but something made him pick up.
“Sawyer,” she said, her voice thick with tears. “Please. I just want to see her. I miss her so much. I know I hurt her. I know I was wrong. But I’m trying to change.”
Sawyer stayed quiet for a moment before answering.
“I believe you’re trying, Caroline. But Gracie isn’t ready. And I won’t force her to see you until she is.”
Caroline started crying harder.
“I’m her mother…”
“You were supposed to protect her,” Sawyer said quietly. “Instead, you hurt her and made her afraid. That’s not something she can just forget because you say you’re sorry.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line.
Finally, Caroline spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I really did love her, you know. I just… I didn’t know how to handle things when you weren’t around.”
Sawyer felt a wave of sadness.
“I know,” he said. “But love isn’t enough when it comes with fear. Gracie needs to feel safe. Until she does, I can’t let you see her.”
He ended the call gently.
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It was one of the hardest things he had ever had to do.
But he knew it was the right thing for his daughter.
