Ophelia snatches Lucy’s inhaler and violently kicks it beneath the heavy sideboard cabinet.
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Chapter 22 / 27
Chapter 22 - LUCY ASKS ABOUT THE THREAT
At thirteen, Lucy saw old security footage during a family-history discussion.
Not the full medical distress without preparation.
The moment afterward.
Me.
Cabinet.
Ophelia.
My sentence.
She stared.
“Dad.”
“Yes.”
“That was insane.”
“Yes.”
“You said you were going to stop her breathing.”
“I said words that sounded like that.”
“Did you mean it?”
“No.”
“Then why say it?”
“Because I wanted her to feel threatened.”
Lucy crossed her arms.
“That’s not better.”
No.
It wasn’t.
Then she asked whether I had been punished.
I told her.
Diversion.
Classes.
Community service.
May you like
She seemed satisfied.
Children deserve adults whose rules apply upward too.
