Chapter 17 - ODETTE WITHOUT POWER
Odette changed after prison.
Not magically.
No saint transformation.
She became quieter.
Margot saw her weekly.
Sabine occasionally.
Supervised at first.
Then normal visits because Odette had never harmed Sabine.
Important.
People asked why one grandchild could see her while another could not.
Because children are individuals.
Risk is specific.
Sabine loved Odette.
Maelis feared her.
Different.
Odette stopped discussing Maelis during Sabine visits after Margot threatened to end them.
Good boundary.
She sold the large family house.
Not court-ordered.
Her choice.
Too many memories, she said.
Bought a condo.
Gave most furniture away.
Kept the pastry tray.
When Margot told me, I laughed from shock.
“Why?”
“She says it reminds her.”
“Of what?”
“Apparently what not to do.”
I hated that answer.
Then realized I did not control her symbols either.
At ten, Maelis agreed to read one letter.
Therapist present.
Odette wrote:
I struck you because I believed adults who control the table control the family.
Maelis frowned.
“Weird.”
Yes.
I gave Sabine first place because I wanted her to represent the branch of the family I trusted. That made both of you carry roles children should never carry.
Maelis read again.
“Sabine wasn’t favorite because better?”
“No.”
“Because Grandma wanted her to be?”
“Yes.”
“That’s still favorite.”
Fair.
Then:
The DNA paper was fake. Your father was always your biological father. More importantly, he was always your father even when I lied.
Maelis stopped.
“Can I stop?”
“Yes.”
She folded it.
Did not finish.
No requirement.
At twelve she finished.
Still no reply.
Odette requested one mediated meeting.
Maelis said:
“Not yet.”
At fourteen:
Maybe later.
No one rushed.
Then Alaric’s lake property review came due.
Market value now:
$5.6 million.
Repair costs rising.
The girls were older.
Still minors.
Professional executor recommended sale.
Margot cried.
I did too.
We still approved.
Why?
Neither branch used it enough.
Rental management burdensome.
Capital better diversified for both beneficiaries.
The house sold for $5.8 million.
Net proceeds divided within their estate shares.
Odette objected emotionally.
No standing to control.
She attended the final family weekend before sale by invitation from Margot.
Maelis chose not to go while she was there.
Good.
The house left the family.
And nothing terrible happened.
Legacy survived without real estate.
May you like
That lesson would have enraged Alaric and liberated Elise.
Probably both.
