Chapter 17 - Vanessa’s own words
Discovery produced messages between Vanessa and her sister Camille.
April 9:
Noah screamed for Adrian because I made him sit after throwing food. Adrian rushes in whenever he hears one tear.
Camille:
He’s three.
Vanessa:
Exactly. If you don’t fix it now, five will be impossible.
April 15:
He keeps asking if Mommy is coming to wedding rehearsal.
Camille:
She’s his mom.
Vanessa:
I know. I’m tired of being treated like temporary staff in my own future family.
There.
Then April 18:
Molly undermines every consequence. She sneaks him snacks.
Camille:
Maybe he’s hungry?
Vanessa:
You’re missing the point.
Then after firing Molly:
She threatened me and said she left “proof.” I’ve searched half his room and found nothing.
There.
The camera.
Then the morning of the cage:
Noah destroyed another fitting sample and called Claire after I told him no. I need one consequence he actually remembers.
That sentence was devastating.
One consequence he actually remembers.
Vanessa later explained:
Noah tore a fabric swatch from the wedding tailor and cried for Claire.
She wanted something memorable.
She saw the old dog cage.
Had it outside.
Thought:
Shock.
Humiliation.
Fear.
Not injury.
That was her distinction.
It was not enough.
May you like
Cruelty does not become discipline because the person intends memory instead of bruises.
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