Chapter 12 - Marcia’s rules
Marcia did not believe she had abused Alessandra.
That became clear quickly.
She believed she had tried to help a spoiled young woman become competent.
When Alessandra’s attorney sent a letter requesting no direct contact, Marcia replied through her own counsel with a seven-page statement.
She described Alessandra as:
“Overly dependent on hired support.”
“Emotionally fragile.”
“Accustomed to paternal interference.”
“Unprepared for normal domestic responsibility.”
Then she documented her own actions as though building a résumé.
She had:
Prepared six breakfasts.
Held Theo for seven afternoon periods.
Washed linens twice.
Purchased household supplies.
Cooked four dinners.
All true.
Then:
“I encouraged Alessandra to participate in household routines for the sake of her mental health.”
That was her description of the chore schedule.
Her text messages to Colin were less polished.
She sleeps every time the baby sleeps. That is how women become useless.
Another:
Do not let her father send another nurse. She’ll never learn.
Another:
She ordered groceries again. I canceled. She needs to leave the house.
And:
If she cries every time something is difficult, ignore it.
The final one:
You have to choose whether this is your marriage or Giorgio’s project.
There.
Marcia framed postpartum recovery as a contest between two families.
No criminal conspiracy.
No poison.
No locked room.
A worldview.
May you like
Still dangerous.
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