Chapter 17 - Miranda Finally Explains Why
Miranda’s explanation came during a deposition in civil proceedings.
Not family dinner.
Not tearful bedside.
Under oath.
Her attorney asked:
“Why did you proceed with the gestational-carrier cycle after Mr. Morello told you he wanted to wait?”
Miranda answered:
“Because he had already consented legally.”
“That was not my question.”
Her own lawyer objected.
Still.
Later she answered more fully.
She believed my pause was temporary panic caused by Daphne.
She thought if pregnancy existed, I would:
“adjust.”
Meaning:
The theoretical child would become real enough that I would stop letting Daphne’s fears dictate timing.
She believed I was parenting from grief.
Some of that was true.
I had overcompensated after Juliana died.
I still canceled plans whenever Daphne became anxious.
I still slept beside her after nightmares more often than her therapist recommended.
Miranda viewed that as unhealthy.
Then she made a fatal leap.
If Daphne’s fear was causing delay, remove the delay from Daphne’s control.
Proceed.
Pregnancy makes decision irreversible.
Garrick adapts.
Then wedding.
Then a planned honeymoon.
Then Daphne spends several weeks with Elise.
By the time Daphne returns, the new family structure is established.
Miranda called it:
“breaking the dependency loop.”
It sounded almost clinical.
It was not therapy.
No professional had recommended it.
No one had recommended secretly proceeding with surrogacy.
No one had recommended physically removing Daphne from a staircase.
Miranda had turned ordinary concerns into unilateral authority.
May you like
That was the pattern.
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