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20 Years of Blindness:The Apartment That Never Was
Part 3: Truth and Reconstruction
The months that followed were characterized by profound self-hatred and a reliance on alcohol. Jessica immersed herself in therapy, seeking to unravel twenty years of lies and self-deceit.
“It’s not your fault,” her therapist maintained, repeating it like a mantra. “You were just a child. You trusted the adults in your life.”
Despite this, Jessica struggled to forgive herself. She distanced herself from her family and cut ties with friends, trying to uncover her genuine self apart from the chaos of untruths.
As she spent this time alone, Jessica started to reflect on the meanings of forgiveness and understanding. Her motivation wasn’t rooted in believing her parents were deserving but in freeing herself from the weight of resentment.
One brisk autumn night, Jessica confronted the hardest decision she had ever faced. She organized a dinner with her parents, including her mother, Susan.
The meeting resembled walking through a field of broken glass. The air was heavy with silence, laced with guilt and bitterness.
“I’ve spent a lot of time feeling angry,” Jessica began, her voice quaking. “Furious at you for being detestable liars, furious at myself for…
