Chapter 7 - SOPHIE THOUGHT BRUISES WERE “EVIDENCE SHE WAS BAD”Therapy revealed this gradually.
Sophie believed bruises were proof.
Not proof Vanessa hurt her.
Proof Sophie deserved punishment.
Why?
Vanessa photographed them after incidents.
Then said:
“See what happens when you fight correction?”
Cause reversed.
Adult grabs child.
Child struggles.
Bruise appears.
Adult photographs bruise as evidence child is out of control.
That pattern came directly from Vanessa’s old compliance work.
I hated how professional the language sounded.
We spent months teaching Sophie:
A bruise is a bruise.
A feeling is a feeling.
Behavior can be corrected without humiliation or harm.
She did not need to be “good” to deserve dinner.
Did not need to be calm to deserve safety.
Did not need to cooperate perfectly to be believed.
May you like
Basic things.
Things adults make complicated.
