Chapter 8 - Linda Finally Admits What She Knew
Linda requested a meeting through her attorney.
She admitted she knew Ryan wanted control over Emily’s trust
distributions.
She also knew he planned to seek guardianship.
But she claimed she believed Emily truly needed psychiatric help.
Ryan showed her the videos.
Kerr told her the medication was safe.
Linda never checked.
“Why not?” Emily asked.
Linda looked ashamed.
“Because I wanted to believe my son.”
That answer hurt more than an elaborate excuse.
Linda admitted seeing Ryan grab Emily hard enough to leave bruises.
Once she saw him shove Emily against a bedroom wall.
She told herself he was restraining someone “hysterical.”
She repeated Ryan’s language until she stopped seeing what was in front
of her.
Then came the darkest admission.
The handprint near Emily’s belly was Ryan’s.
Linda saw it happen the previous night.
Emily tried to call Vincent.
Ryan grabbed her.
Linda took the phone.
“I thought if your father came, everything would explode.”
Emily stared at her.
“So you protected him.”
Linda cried.
“Yes.”
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She had not created every part of Ryan’s plan.
But she had helped maintain the silence that made it possible.
