Chapter 17 - Valeria attacks the narrative
Her civil lawyers did something clever.
They argued publicly, through filings rather than tabloids:
Celeste genuinely trusted Valeria.
True.
Valeria genuinely performed substantial unpaid work during Celeste’s illness.
True.
I continued allowing Valeria to act as a public hostess after Celeste died.
True.
The foundation benefited from her labor.
True.
Therefore, they said, the dispute was being rewritten after my anger at the banquet.
Partly persuasive.
Then they attached photographs:
Valeria beside Celeste.
Valeria holding Marnie’s coat.
Valeria assisting at hospital fundraiser.
Valeria at my table after Celeste died.
None proved ring ownership.
None justified shoving Marnie.
But they complicated the simplistic story.
Marnie asked:
“Why are there pictures of Mommy smiling with her?”
“Because Mommy liked her once.”
“Then Mommy was wrong?”
“People can trust someone who later makes bad choices.”
She looked unsettled.
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The world is easier when villains were always villains.
I refused to teach her that lie.
