Chapter 15
Marcus asked for his phone back.
I handed it to him.
Everything had already been copied.
He looked surprised.
“What happens to the videos?”
“Ellie decides when she’s older.”
His face tightened.
“You’re keeping them?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because one day people will tell her it wasn’t that bad.”
He looked at me.
I knew the pattern.
Families soften their own cruelty with time.
Victor was harsh.
Everyone was pressured.
Children exaggerate memories.
Maybe the videos would never be watched again.
Good.
But they would exist.
Not as entertainment.
Evidence against revision.
Marcus nodded.
“I understand.”
I looked at him.
“Do you?”
He swallowed.
“I told myself recording meant I was doing something.”
“Yes.”
“I was protecting myself.”
“Yes.”
His eyes filled.
“I used your name.”
“Yes.”
No rescue.
He needed to sit inside every answer.
Then he said:
“I want to apologize to you.”
“No.”
He looked confused.
“Apologize to Ellie again when she’s ready to hear more.”
He nodded.
“And Daniel.”
Another nod.
“And Lucas.”
His face changed.
“Lucas?”
“You taught him adults would record cruelty instead of stopping it.”
Marcus looked down.
That one landed.
I continued.
“You’re not returning to active family work yet.”
“I understand.”
“No.”
I almost smiled.
“You accept it. Understanding takes longer.”
He nodded.
Fair.
Before leaving, Marcus placed his phone on my desk.
“What?”
“I don’t want it.”
“Buy another.”
He almost laughed.
Maybe one day.
Then he looked toward the garden.
“I really thought Victor was untouchable.”
I followed his gaze.
“So did I.”
That was the worst inheritance my father left us.
May you like
Not fear of his anger.
Belief in his inevitability.
