Chapter 24 - I TESTIFY WITHOUT HIDING MY PART
The prosecutor asked me about childcare.
“How often did Morgause care for Eluned after Seren’s death?”
“Usually twice a week. Sometimes more.”
“Did she tell you she was overwhelmed?”
“Not clearly.”
“Did you ask?”
“Not enough.”
“Did you offer money?”
“Yes.”
“She refused?”
“Yes.”
“Did you continue asking for help?”
“Yes.”
There.
Then:
“Did that make Morgause responsible for Eluned’s treatment?”
“No.”
“Did it contribute to resentment?”
“Probably.”
Good.
Then the slap.
Morgause’s lawyer asked:
“You struck my client hard enough to knock her into furniture?”
“Yes.”
“Was Eluned already standing beside you?”
“Yes.”
“Was Morgause attacking at that moment?”
“No.”
“Did you want to hurt her?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
No hero.
Then:
“You later sent a family message describing Morgause as an abuser before final legal findings?”
“Yes.”
“Did that reach Cerys?”
“Yes.”
“Was that harmful?”
“Yes.”
Good.
Then:
“Why should the court trust your characterization of events?”
“Because it shouldn’t rely on my anger. It should rely on the child interview, witnesses, medical records, Morgause’s messages, and her own admissions.”
That landed better than defensiveness.
Then the grandfather letter.
I did not read it dramatically.
The prosecutor used only relevant lines corroborated by Morgause’s own communications.
You never have to earn dinner.
You never have to earn the right to see clearly.
Then Dad’s text:
Do not collect the debt from Eluned.
Morgause looked down.
I did too.
Because that message was for both of us in different ways.
She had collected resentment from a child.
I had collected help from a sister without checking its cost.
May you like
The difference mattered.
So did the shared failure around the child.
