Chapter 15 - What Richard DidEmily didn't press criminal charges.
Richard was relieved.
Then ashamed of being relieved.
So he acted anyway.
He informed his company's board about the incident.
He began anger-management counseling.
Not because he considered himself habitually violent.
Because one impulsive act was enough.
His therapist asked:
“What did you feel before you slapped Emily?”
“Rage.”
“Before rage?”
Richard thought.
“Fear.”
“Before fear?”
He remembered his mother crying.
“Helplessness.”
“And what did hitting Emily give you?”
“Control.”
There it was.
The same thing Victoria had sought with Eleanor.
Control.
Different circumstances.
Same dangerous impulse.
Richard returned home shaken.
Eleanor noticed.
“Okay?”
“Yes.”
She didn't believe him.
He smiled faintly.
“I'm learning.”
Months passed.
Victoria accepted a plea agreement involving probation, mandatory counseling, protective restrictions and community service, while the exact criminal disposition remained between her and the court.
Richard did not celebrate.
Their divorce proceeded.
One afternoon Victoria requested a final private conversation in the presence of attorneys.
Richard agreed.
She looked healthier.
Quieter.
“I've been thinking about Emily.”
Richard waited.
“I hated her.”
“Why?”
“Because Eleanor trusted her.”
Richard frowned.
Victoria continued:
“Eleanor never trusted me.”
“She did at first.”
“I know.”
“That made it worse.”
Victoria looked ashamed.
“When Emily came into that room, I saw someone Eleanor loved standing between me and the person I hated.”
“So you threw anyway.”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Emily would intervene?”
“No.”
“Would you have thrown the vase if she hadn't?”
Victoria cried.
“Yes.”
Richard closed his eyes.
The answer mattered.
Victoria had genuinely intended to hit Eleanor.
Perhaps not kill her.
But harm her.
“Thank you for telling the truth.”
Victoria nodded.
Then:
“Did your mother kill Robert?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Margaret drugged him at Mom's request.”
Victoria stared.
Richard continued:
“Mom intended to make him sleep.”
“Not die.”
“And Dad's heart failed.”
Victoria looked down.
“So she caused it.”
“Partly.”
Victoria looked up.
“Partly?”
Richard held her gaze.
“You waited to call for help.”
Victoria began crying.
“Yes.”
“Margaret gave the drug.”
“Mom requested it.”
“Dad created years of abuse and chaos.”
“No single person gets to dump all responsibility onto another.”
Victoria whispered:
“That's inconvenient.”
Richard almost smiled.
“Yes.”
“The truth usually is.”
As he left, Victoria called after him.
“Richard.”
He turned.
“I hope Emily forgives you.”
Richard shook his head.
“I hope she has a good life.”
“That's different.”
May you like
“Yes.”
He walked away.
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