Chapter 7 - MARGARET FINALLY TOLD ELENA WHAT SHE HAD DONE TO LUCIA
Elena agreed to mediated meeting two years later.
No Sophie.
Just adults.
Margaret looked smaller.
She called:
“Elena.”
No “girl.”
Then Elena asked:
“Did you plant papers in my mother’s desk?”
Margaret shook head.
“No.”
Charles did.
“Did you know?”
“Not initially.”
“When did you learn?”
“Three years later.”
Elena went still.
“And you still let everyone call her thief.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because admitting truth would expose that I had pushed Robert to cut her out before facts were clear.”
There.
Pride.
Then:
“Did you forge waiver?”
Margaret cried.
“I did not physically write her name.”
Who?
Henry Sloan’s clerk.
Margaret and William authorized preparation using signature exemplar.
So yes, conspiracy.
Then:
“Did Dad know?”
“Robert learned later.”
“How much later?”
“About six years.”
“And stayed?”
“Yes.”
Elena closed eyes.
Her grandfather failed too.
Then:
“Did you hate my mother?”
Margaret took long.
“I envied what she represented.”
“What?”
“Robert had loved another family before me.”
There.
Ana and Lucia.
Margaret wanted be beginning.
Lucia proved she wasn't.
Then biological purity gave excuse.
Trust gave stakes.
Then:
“Did my mother ever treat you badly?”
“No.”
“Then you punished child for marriage before her.”
“Yes.”
There.
Then Elena said:
“You did same to me.”
Margaret nodded.
“And almost to Sophie.”
“Yes.”
Then:
“Why should I let you near her?”
Margaret cried.
“You should not unless I earn it.”
Good.
Then meeting ended.
No hug.
But truth.
Months later Elena allowed another visit.
Progress.
Then Ethan's relationship with Elena deepened.
He proposed after three years.
Not because baby.
Elena said:
“Before I answer, prenup.”
He laughed.
“Yes.”
Then terms:
Elena trust separate.
Ethan trust separate.
Sophie protected.
No spouse management.
Independent counsel.
Then she said yes.
Wedding small.
Margaret invited?
Elena decided yes to ceremony, not wedding party.
She attended quietly.
No speeches.
Rosa at front table as guest.
Nice.
Then Ethan vows:
“I will never again mistake silence for peace.”
Maybe too thematic, but fine.
Elena:
“And I will not hide truths because I fear what they cost.”
Both.
May you like
Then Sophie tossed flowers badly.
Normal.
