Chapter 11
Cassandro did not ask Elena to come home.
That surprised her.
It surprised him too.
Instead he asked:
“What do you want now?”
“To see my daughter.”
“Yes.”
“And I don't want to walk back into your house like nothing happened.”
“I know.”
Elena looked at him carefully.
“You've changed.”
“Not enough.”
That answer was more honest.
The first reunion with Audrey happened three days later under the guidance of a child therapist.
Cassandro watched through observation glass.
Elena entered carrying nothing.
No gifts.
No dramatic promises.
Audrey stared at her.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Audrey touched the waterproof bracelet.
“Mommy?”
Elena covered her mouth.
“Yes.”
Audrey walked toward her slowly.
Then stopped.
“You went away.”
Elena knelt.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Elena looked toward the therapist.
Then answered simply.
“Mommy was scared and made choices that kept us apart.”
Audrey thought about that.
“Vivienne said you didn't want me.”
Elena closed her eyes.
Cassandro turned away from the glass.
That was another lie they had never known about.
Vivienne had not only convinced Elena that Cassandro would take Audrey.
She had also spent months teaching Audrey that her mother chose to leave.
Two victims.
Opposite stories.
Same purpose.
When the visit ended, Audrey did not hug Elena.
She asked:
“You coming tomorrow?”
Elena smiled through tears.
“If you want me to.”
Audrey nodded.
That was enough.
Cassandro met Elena in the hallway afterward.
Neither knew what to say.
Finally Elena asked:
“Are you going to hurt them?”
Cassandro knew who she meant.
A year earlier, he might have answered differently.
“No.”
Elena watched him.
“Why should I believe that?”
Cassandro looked toward Audrey’s therapy room.
“You shouldn't have to believe me.”
May you like
He handed her his attorney’s card.
“You can watch what I do instead.”
