Chapter 21 - Cecily
Cecily testified.
My former mother-in-law looked smaller than I remembered.
She admitted taking Emmett’s room.
“Why?”
“Jocelyn told me Declan agreed he was moving to Vermont.”
“Did you verify?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to believe her.”
That phrase.
Then texts.
Once Emmett is with Ruth, he won’t drag him back just to prove a point.
Cecily read.
Cried.
Defense:
“Did Jocelyn ever say she wanted Emmett harmed?”
“No.”
“Did she call Vermont unsafe?”
“No.”
“Did she intend him to be cared for?”
“Yes.”
“Did she believe Ruth loved him?”
“Yes.”
Important.
Then prosecution:
“Did she tell you Declan consented?”
“Yes.”
“Was that true?”
“No.”
“Did she tell you the transition needed to happen before he could stop it?”
Cecily swallowed.
“Yes.”
Then:
“Did you see Emmett’s belongings in garage bins?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ask whether that was cruel?”
“I said he was six.”
“And?”
“She said he needed to adjust.”
May you like
There.
The word transition became toxic because it described a plan built around removing consent.
