Chapter 14 - Diane’s explanation
My mother asked to meet.
I refused at first.
Then agreed through a mediator.
No Emma.
No Vanessa.
Diane cried immediately.
I felt nothing.
That scared me.
She said:
“I never told Vanessa to hurt her.”
“I know there’s no evidence you said that.”
“Then why are you treating me like a criminal?”
“I’m treating you like someone who told my child not to tell me things.”
Her face changed.
“That was to avoid unnecessary drama.”
“Whose drama?”
“Yours.”
I laughed.
“So Emma had to manage my emotions for you?”
“No.”
“That is exactly what you taught her.”
Diane looked away.
Then:
“You get angry.”
“Yes.”
“You cut people off.”
“Yes.”
“You think your way is the only safe way.”
“Sometimes.”
She expected denial.
I did not give it.
I continued:
“None of that gives you permission to create secret discipline around my child.”
Silence.
Then:
“I thought you were making Emma fragile.”
There.
The belief.
“What did you want her to become?”
“More resilient.”
“She was four.”
“You act like four-year-olds can’t learn.”
“They can.”
“Then—”
“They can also learn adults aren’t safe.”
Diane cried.
That ended the meeting.
May you like
No reconciliation.
Not yet.
