Chapter 7 - The CheckI still called the police. This time, Corinne didn't try to stop me. When the officer arrived, I showed him the footage. Eventually, Sabine admitted she had arranged to have Corinne's car covered in white paint. And more importantly, Corinne finally admitted she had been responsible for my car.
Statements were taken. Insurance companies became involved. Repair estimates started piling up. The entire situation became expensive and embarrassing very quickly.
Strangely, I didn't enjoy Corinne's humiliation nearly as much as I'd imagined I would. For almost a year, I'd fantasized about finally catching her. I thought proving I'd been right would feel satisfying. Instead, I mostly felt tired.
A few days later, Corinne knocked on my door again. This time, she was fully dressed. And calm.
"I brought you something."
She handed me an envelope. Inside was a check covering the first repair estimate for my car.
"I'll cover whatever insurance doesn't," she said.
I studied her face. "Why?"
"Because I owe you."
"Yes, you do."
She winced slightly but didn't argue. Before leaving, she stopped on the front steps.
May you like
"For whatever it's worth… I'm sorry."
I believed her. That didn't erase what she had done. It didn't suddenly make us friends. But it was probably the first completely honest thing she'd said to me in almost a year.
