Chapter 15 - Victoria Tells Emily Everything
Victoria visited Emily after Clara was born.
She brought no flowers.
No excuses.
Only the black phone.
Investigators had finished copying it.
Victoria admitted Margaret had controlled the family through secrecy for
years.
Whenever Daniel questioned something, Victoria softened it.
Whenever Richard and Margaret fought, Victoria redirected attention.
She called it keeping the peace.
Now she understood what that peace cost.
“I saw Mom take the bat.”
Emily looked at her.
“You froze.”
Victoria began crying.
“Yes.”
“Sarah moved.”
“Yes.”
“Grace wasn’t there. Daniel wasn’t there. You were.”
Victoria nodded.
Emily did not comfort her.
“I need you to understand why I can’t pretend that didn’t happen.”
“I do.”
Victoria placed the phone on the table.
“I’m going to testify to everything I saw.”
That did not repair their relationship.
May you like
But it was the first honest thing Victoria had offered without being
forced.
