Chapter 11 - OLIVIA’S VOICE
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Olivia looked terrified.
But she didn’t hide.
Eleanor tried to smile.
“You don’t understand what you’re saying.”
Olivia squeezed Stallone’s hand.
“I do.”
“You’re four.”
“Yes.”
“You love Grandma.”
Olivia frowned.
“I can love you and not want you to scare me.”
Sarah covered her mouth.
Stallone felt tears burn his eyes.
No adult in the room had taught Olivia that sentence.
The therapist Sarah contacted that morning had spoken with her for twenty minutes.
Apparently, twenty minutes of being listened to could do more than years of being silenced.
Eleanor’s voice hardened.
“Who told you to say that?”
Olivia shook her head.
“Me.”
Eleanor stepped forward.
Stallone moved between them.
“That’s far enough.”
Eleanor snapped.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“What?”
“Turning everyone against me.”
Stallone stared at her.
“This isn’t about winning.”
“It always is with you.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“That’s how you see relationships. Somebody has to win. Somebody has to obey.”
Eleanor’s breathing quickened.
“You think I wanted to become this?”
Stallone said nothing.
“My mother beat us.”
Her voice cracked.
“She locked Margaret in closets. She made me listen while Margaret screamed.”
Margaret’s face softened on the screen.
Eleanor continued.
“If I refused to help, she punished both of us.”
Nobody interrupted.
“I learned early.”
Tears filled Eleanor’s eyes.
“Control the room or the room controls you.”
Stallone’s anger remained.
But something else joined it.
Grief.
For the girl Eleanor had once been.
Not as an excuse.
As an explanation.
“You were hurt,” Stallone said.
“Yes.”
“What happened to you was wrong.”
Eleanor looked at him.
He continued.
“And what you did to these children was wrong.”
Her face closed.
“You don’t get both.”
“I do.”
He stepped closer.
“I can feel sorry for the child you were and still hold the adult you became accountable.”
Eleanor wiped her tears angrily.
Sarah spoke.
“Mom, get help.”
Eleanor laughed.
“You think I’m crazy?”
“No.”
Sarah shook her head.
“I think you’re wounded.”
She looked at Olivia.
“And dangerous when you refuse to deal with it.”
That silenced everyone.
Eleanor looked at her granddaughter.
Olivia did not run.
Did not apologize.
Did not lower her eyes.
Eleanor seemed to realize the old tricks no longer worked.
“You’ll miss me.”
Olivia answered quietly.
“Maybe.”
Eleanor flinched.
Olivia continued.
“But I don’t miss the dark room.”
Eleanor turned away.
Stallone exhaled.
“Pack a bag.”
She spun around.
“What?”
“You’re staying at the hotel until we decide what happens next.”
“You’re throwing me out?”
“I’m removing the children from danger.”
“This is my home!”
Stallone’s voice finally rose.
“And those are our grandchildren!”
Silence slammed down.
He lowered his voice again.
“I failed our children once.”
His eyes went to Sarah, Michael and Claire.
“I will not fail theirs because I’m afraid of upsetting you.”
Eleanor stared at him.
Then walked upstairs.
Twenty minutes later, she came down carrying a suitcase.
Marcus opened the front door.
She paused beside Olivia.
For one terrifying second, Stallone thought she might say something cruel.
Instead, Eleanor whispered:
“One day you’ll understand.”
Olivia shook her head.
“I hope not.”
Eleanor left.
The door closed.
Everyone exhaled.
Then Marcus’s phone rang.
He listened.
His expression changed.
“What now?” Stallone asked.
Marcus looked up.
“Police are at the front gate.”
Sarah went pale.
“Who called them?”
Marcus swallowed.
“Eleanor did.”
Michael frowned.
“Why would she call the police?”
May you like
Marcus looked at Stallone.
“She says you kidnapped Olivia.”
