15 years passed, and you still can’t forgive. He ruined my life. He acted basely.
But you ruined your life yourself when you decided you couldn’t live without him. Charlotte released Lily and turned to Robert. In her eyes blazed cold fire: you don’t understand.
I loved him. I gave him everything. And what? Love doesn’t give right to own a person.
Ethan made his choice. Base, cruel, but his. And you decided better to die than live with it.
Because living was unbearable. Was. Then.
But pain passes if you let it go. You cling to it like treasure. Robert saw his words touched her.
Charlotte was losing control, meaning her power over Lily weakened. The girl was becoming more material again. Know what I think? He continued.
You’re not afraid of pain. You’re afraid… To forget.
Afraid if you release the grudge, nothing will remain of your love. Not true. True.
But love isn’t grudge. Love is ability to wish happiness to another, even if he caused you pain. You can love Ethan and let him go at the same time.
Charlotte sank to her knees, and tears flowed from her eyes. Unusual tears, glowing like drops of molten silver. «I don’t know how,» she whispered.
«I’ve lived with this pain so long. It became part of me. Then let me help.»
Not by force, not coercion. Humanly. Robert felt the invisible wall disappear.
He approached Charlotte and carefully sat beside. «Tell me about him.» «Not how he left you.
What he was like when you were happy.» And Charlotte began telling. Robert didn’t sleep the rest of the night.
He sat by Lily’s bed, holding a homemade cross carved from wood. Not that he was especially religious, but now ready to grasp any straw. Toward morning, Lily spoke in her sleep.
First indistinctly, then clearer: yes, Aunt Charlotte? «Understand. Won’t tell Dad. Our secret.»
Robert gently shook his daughter, and she woke with a guilty expression. She came again. He asked.
Lily nodded, lowering her eyes. «What did she say?» «Said she’ll come for me soon.» «And you shouldn’t know?» «Said if I tell you, you’ll drown in the well too.»
Robert clenched his fists. Whoever this Charlotte was, she knew how to manipulate a child’s mind. In the morning, he took Lily to Aunt Mabel.
The old woman agreed to watch the girl, though crossing herself. «Bad business,» she said. «Charlotte clings to your daughter.
Need to do something.» What exactly? Need to call a priest. Let him bless the well, drive out evil.
But the nearest priest lived in the county seat, sixty miles away. And time passed, and each day Lily became paler, more detached. Robert decided to act alone.
If Charlotte is tied to the well, that’s where to deal with her. He bought salt, holy water from the only active church in the nearby town, and prepared for another descent into the well. In the evening, with Lily at Aunt Mabel’s, Robert headed to the well again.
The sounds started on approach—not crying this time, but something like a song. Quiet, mesmerizing melody, without words. At the well awaited a surprise.
The iron cover was fully shifted, and weak bluish glow came from the depths. And Charlotte began telling. At first reluctantly, then freer.
She spoke of Ethan not as a betrayer, but as the young man she loved. About his laugh, how he read her poems under the old oak, plans they made together. He wanted to be a teacher, she said, tears streaming down her transparent cheeks.
Dreamed of opening a school for rural kids. And me? I wanted to help him. Wanted our own children.
Robert listened, and gradually unfolded not a story of betrayal, but of two young people who sincerely loved but couldn’t cope with circumstances. And what happened then? Why did he choose another? Charlotte paused, as if gathering strength. Her parents were richer.
Had connections in the city, could get him a good job. And me? I had nothing. Only love.
And he chose gain over love. He… He told me it was temporary.
Would marry her, get the position, then we’d be together. As lovers. Charlotte’s voice trembled with pain.
He didn’t understand he was offering me to become what I never wanted. Robert began to understand. Ethan wasn’t a villain; he was weak, trying to have it all, not thinking of consequences.
And Charlotte? Charlotte was a young girl for whom love was everything. I refused, she continued. Said if he marries another, it’s over between us.
Thought he’d come to senses, choose me. But he… He chose her.
And you decided to end it. I decided I couldn’t live without him. Better die than live with this pain.
Charlotte raised her eyes to Robert. I was a fool. Young, stupid fool.
You were a person who loved too much. Yes, and that love killed me. And then? Then it didn’t give me peace.
Robert felt they were approaching the most important. Charlotte, tell me honestly. Do you still love him? She was silent long, then slowly nodded: yes.
Hate and love at once. Can’t choose one. And do you know what became of him? Charlotte shook her head.
For 15 years underground, she didn’t know what happened in the living world. He lived an unhappy life, Robert said softly. Aunt Mabel told.
Married that girl, got a job in the city. But family didn’t work. Wife turned capricious and cruel, no children.
Job brought no joy. Charlotte listened without interrupting. And he never forgot you.
Every year, on the day of your death, came here and brought flowers to the well. Until his own death. He…
He died. Charlotte whispered. 5 years ago.
Heart failed. They say last words were about you. Asked forgiveness.
Charlotte sobbed quietly, hopelessly. And with her tears, something began changing around. The bluish glow from her became softer, warmer.
And Lily, who stood motionless all this time, suddenly blinked and looked around confused. «Dad? What am I doing here?» She asked in a normal, lively voice. Robert felt incredible relief.
The bond between Charlotte and Lily weakened. «So he suffered too,» said Charlotte. «We both suffered.
All for nothing. Not for nothing. You loved each other.
Just couldn’t preserve it. And now too late to change anything. For you two—yes.
But you can release this pain. Can forgive him and yourself.» Charlotte raised her head and looked at Robert: and what will happen to me if I let go? What will remain of me without this pain? Love will remain.
Pure, without grudge impurities. The very love you felt at the beginning, when you didn’t know of betrayal yet. But then I’ll have to go.
Forever. Yes. But you’ll go in peace…
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