Chapter 43

Stepdad: "Of course, Mirabelle. I know that trust needs to be earned, and I hope that I can do that with you. But before anything else, I need to make things right with Ray. I'm going to tell him what Rita did and take responsibility for my part in not stopping her."

Mirabelle: "I support you, stepdad. Ray deserves to know the truth. And I appreciate you owning up to your mistakes."

Stepdad: "Thank you, Mirabelle. I just hope that Ray can find it in his heart to forgive me and maybe we can all move forward from this."

Mirabelle: "I hope so too, stepdad. Let's just take it one step at a time."

Stepdad: "Agreed."

Mirabelle: "I would like that too, stepdad. Thank you for apologizing and for being honest with me."

Stepdad: "Mirabelle, I need to talk to you. I know I haven't been the best stepfather to you in the past,and I want to apologize for that. I can see now that I was wrong, and I regret any pain I may have caused you."

Mirabelle: "I appreciate your apology, stepdad."

Stepdad: "The