Forgive is not absolution, even if it's confused with that quite often. And it's not a stripping away of guilt, if that's what it isn't. Ye forgiveness doesn't undo the fact of the offence, nor does forgiveness suggest that the offence wasn't really that bad. Forgive is when you decide to permanently forego seeking restitution, or vengeance, or however you want to think about it. That's what forgiveness is.