Odile forced the housemaid Imogen’s bandaged hands down onto the grand piano keys despite the obvious pain.
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Chapter 13 / 17
Chapter 13
The concert reception returned two years later.
Same ballroom.
Same piano.
Different host.
Imogen attended as a guest.
Not maid.
She wore gloves only because she liked them.
Not to hide bandages.
Mariel sat beside her.
I saw Odile across the room unexpectedly.
Invited by another family.
She noticed us.
Stopped.
Then approached slowly.
Not directly to Imogen.
Good.
She greeted me first.
Polite.
Then Mariel.
Then asked Imogen:
“May I speak to you?”
Imogen thought.
“No.”
Odile nodded.
“Understood.”
Then left.
That was progress too.
Respecting a no without making it about your hurt.
Imogen watched her go.
No satisfaction.
No fear.
Just neutral.
May you like
Maybe the opposite of power is not punishment.
Maybe it is irrelevance.
