Dear Juniper,

As I'm writing you this letter I have just moved into my new home for the next four years, ready to start my college life. I never expected to hear from you and I kind of hoped that after all these years you wouldn't bother contacting me at all, but since you have extended what seems to be an olive branch I thought it would be impolite not to reciprocate.

I never could get the whole story of what happened between you and dad from Gran and I appreciate you finally coming clean to me, it has given me the closure I needed in order to put you and him behind me. I'm sorry if what I write to you in this letter hurts, but I believe that I should be quite frank with you as you so graciously have with me.

For a long time I was mad at you. You took away any chance I had at knowing my father and at having a normal life. He might not have been the best man, but he was my dad and I never got to know him because of your selfishness. You say he turned you into a monster like you had no choice, you weren't powerless but you chose to be.

By becoming the monster that he was you let him win, even in death he still had the upper hand. I feel sad for you, you'll never get to see me and you'll never see the beautiful young lady I have become. When I have them in the future, you'll never get to see your grandchildren either and you have no one to blame but yourself.

That being said, I forgive you. Not because you told me you're not asking for forgiveness or because I'm a rebellious teenager who doesn't listen, but because I've come to terms with what you've done and I don't have any space in my heart for hatred. I may be your offspring but this apple did fall far from the tree and I refuse to become like you or dad.

I am going to school to become a psychologist to help people with problems like you. Hopefully they'll ask me for help first before doing anything as drastic as you did.

I appreciate you telling me what went down with you and dad but I would love it if you didn't contact me anymore.

Signed,

Maggie.