Chapter 23 - Vanessa leaves
Vanessa divorced Ryan.
Quickly.
No attempt to save the marriage.
She testified in the guardianship review only where she had direct knowledge.
Ryan had told her Emily died.
Ryan had described James as estranged and unstable.
Ryan had said Lily’s grief reactions came from:
“refusing to accept reality.”
Vanessa admitted something uncomfortable too.
“I pushed Lily to accept me.”
She had told Lily:
“You cannot keep comparing everything to your mother.”
She had encouraged Ryan to set firmer boundaries.
She had once said:
“This house can’t stay a memorial forever.”
She believed Emily was dead.
Still hurtful.
Vanessa later wrote Lily an apology.
Not immediately.
After therapy.
It said:
I did not know your mother was alive. I did know you were hurting, and I was impatient because I wanted a place in your father’s life that did not feel temporary.
There.
I am sorry I treated your grief like something you needed to finish for me.
Lily never responded.
No obligation.
Vanessa moved to Houston.
Rebuilt her career.
No villain-ending poverty.
May you like
No reunion with Ryan.
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