Chapter 11
Clara returned through court, not through a dramatic mansion doorway.
The first meeting was virtual.
No press.
No family guests.
No Belloro security.
Elsie sat with her therapist and guardian ad litem.
Dominic sat in another room, watching only with court permission and no ability to interrupt.
Clara appeared on a screen with shorter hair, tired eyes, and a hand pressed against her chest.
Elsie stared.
For ten seconds, neither spoke.
Then Clara said:
“Hi, my Christmas girl.”
Elsie burst into tears.
The therapist asked if she wanted to stop.
Elsie shook her head.
“Why didn’t you come get me?”
Clara closed her eyes.
The honest answer was not gentle.
“I tried through lawyers, but I did not get you out before I had to leave. I thought staying alive and helping the case would make it safer later.”
Elsie’s voice cracked.
“But later was years.”
“Yes.”
“Did you choose the case over me?”
Clara cried then.
“I thought I was choosing a way back to you. But I understand if it felt like I didn’t choose you.”
Dominic listened from the other room and put both hands over his face.
That answer hurt because it did not hide behind Geneva.
The reunification plan began slowly.
Letters first.
Supervised calls.
Then a visit at a neutral family-services center.
Elsie brought the crushed wrapping paper in a plastic sleeve.
She asked Clara:
“Did you wrap it?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know it would get broken?”
“No.”
Elsie nodded.
Then handed Clara a small piece of ribbon.
May you like
“You can keep this part.”
Clara held it like it was made of glass.
