Chapter 10
Celina finally understood she was not getting what she had been promised.
That was why she talked.
Lucille had told her ninety days would let the family “stabilize” while I reconsidered priorities.
Celina would run household events.
Victor Vale, an older capo, would handle donor relations.
Nicholas would coordinate internal meetings.
Lucille would oversee all three.
Then?
No clear answer.
Of course.
Temporary power is often permanent ambition wearing a clock.
“What did you get after ninety days?” I asked Celina.
She looked at Lucille.
“No.”
I nodded.
“Exactly.”
Lucille’s face hardened.
“You think everyone is as ambitious as you.”
“No.”
I looked at Celina.
“I think people who humiliate children for authority usually want authority.”
Celina flinched.
Good.
Then she said:
“I didn’t know Lucille would kick it.”
I stared.
“What did you think?”
“She would refuse one bite.”
Still cruel.
Less violent.
“I thought Emmett would be disappointed. You would defend him. People would see you overreact.”
There.
Celina knew the political purpose.
Not the exact method.
“You still helped set him up.”
“Yes.”
First honest answer.
She started crying.
I did not comfort her.
“I told him she’d love it.”
“Yes.”
“I watched him stir berries for two days.”
“Yes.”
“I thought…”
She stopped.
“What?”
“That it was just a family lesson.”
There it was again.
Just.
Small word.
Excellent disguise.
I leaned back.
“Did you ever ask what Emmett was supposed to learn?”
Silence.
“You cared what I was supposed to show.”
She looked down.
Correct.
Emmett was not student.
He was instrument.
Lucille finally stood.
“You’re turning everyone against me.”
“No.”
I looked at her.
“I’m letting them hear what they agreed to in plain language.”
That is often enough.
Celina turned toward her.
“You told me Rafael would thank us later.”
Lucille’s expression did not change.
“I believed he would.”
I almost admired the arrogance.
She genuinely thought once I was corrected politically, I would appreciate the method.
May you like
Maybe because men before me had.
Not this one.
