Chapter 14 - MY PART IN THE STORY
Therapy did not let me spend every session talking about Daniel.
Annoying.
My therapist asked:
“When did you first know something was wrong?”
“Months ago.”
“When did you act?”
“Three days before the trench.”
“Why wait?”
“I was pregnant.”
“More.”
“I didn’t want to be dramatic.”
“Whose word?”
Daniel’s.
I knew before she asked.
He called Claire dramatic.
My mother dramatic.
Employees dramatic.
Me dramatic.
Anyone reacting to him strongly had a personality problem.
I also stayed because of the baby.
I believed leaving late in pregnancy was more dangerous than conflict at home.
That assumption deserved examination.
Not blame.
Risk assessment.
I should have told my doctor privately.
Asked Claire for help.
Consulted counsel before confrontation.
Instead I tried proving the lie myself.
Hidden phone.
Photographs.
Confrontation.
Evidence collection gave me a sense of control.
It also kept me near danger.
The therapist said:
“You did not cause his violence by investigating.”
“I know.”
“But?”
“But I want to be smarter next time.”
“Good.”
Agency without self-blame.
Hard balance.
I also needed to own one smaller thing.
I had used Claire as emergency backup without telling her the full risk.
COME AT 2. IF I DON’T ANSWER, COME INSIDE.
She entered a yard where Daniel held a stick.
I apologized.
She said:
“I’m still angry.”
“Fair.”
“You should have told me to call police from outside.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t get to recruit me into your secret-agent nonsense at eight months pregnant.”
“Yes.”
Then she hugged me.
May you like
“Also, I’m glad I came.”
Both.
