Chapter 4
Chase called the whole thing discipline.
That word again.
I brought him into the council room after his face had been checked and cleaned.
He looked angry.
Good.
“Explain Mercer rules.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Tove told you that?”
“No.”
I leaned back.
“A maid did.”
He scoffed.
“Staff exaggerate.”
“Children too?”
He said nothing.
I continued.
“What are the rules?”
Chase folded his arms.
“No coddling.”
“Meaning?”
“Mireya gets attention every time she makes a sound.”
I stared.
“She is three.”
“You keep using that.”
“Because apparently you keep forgetting it.”
His jaw tightened.
He continued.
“Tove was trying to help.”
“With what?”
“Make her stronger.”
I almost smiled.
Every cruel adult claims strength as the product.
Then I asked:
“Why hide the backup medication?”
His face changed.
He had not expected me to know.
“Ask Tove.”
“I am asking you.”
Silence.
I leaned forward.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
Finally.
“What was the purpose?”
“To prove Mireya didn’t need as much as Margaret thought.”
There it was.
They had turned my daughter’s breathing into an experiment.
Not medical.
Not informed.
Just arrogance.
“And if she did need it?”
Chase looked away.
That answer was enough.
Then he said:
“She always recovered.”
My hands curled.
Survival used as proof the cruelty was safe.
Classic.
I stood.
“No.”
He looked up.
May you like
“She recovered despite you.”
That was the first time he understood the difference.
