I forgive you. Now, stay far, far away from me.

Not every apology requires renewed proximity. This I know.

One of the cruelest things I have ever experienced was a years-long campaign of deceit and slander against me (and others) by a former business partner, someone I was extremely close to—and his secret paramour, our client. All this was hidden because he was in a long-term relationship with a friend of mine, and our client was half his age and married wi…