Chapter 22 - Victoria meets Elise
Victoria did not see Elise for more than two years.
At first because of the protective order.
Later because I said no.
Then because Arthur, surprisingly, said no too.
He had been attending therapy.
During one supervised visit, he asked:
“If my mother ever sees Elise, can it be through a center first?”
I stared.
“Yes.”
He said:
“I don’t trust myself to know when Mom is manipulating me.”
That was the most self-aware sentence I had heard from him since the steam room.
Eventually, after legal restrictions changed and clinicians agreed, Victoria was allowed to send one letter.
Not to Elise.
To me.
It said:
I treated your freedom as something I could condition on obedience. I told myself I was preventing a pregnant woman from making a reckless decision. The note shows what I actually wanted: for you to submit.
No mention of disrespect.
Good.
Then:
May you like
Arthur did not make me lock the door. I chose the lock. He also chose not to open it. Those are separate failures.
I kept that letter.
