Chapter 5 - What Beatrice Remembered
Valeria did not sleep.
She listened to every recording twice.
Damian did not sound like a monster.
That was what made them worse.
He rarely shouted.
He spoke patiently.
Coldly.
He corrected Catherine's memory.
He told her she was emotional.
He told her that nobody would believe she was afraid because he had never struck her.
In one recording, Catherine begged him to unlock a bedroom door.
In another, he refused to let her sleep until she agreed to sign a document.
In another, Catherine said she wanted to take Beatrice and leave.
Damian answered, "If you try, I will prove you are unstable."
The final file lasted less than two minutes.
Beatrice's little voice came from somewhere nearby.
"Daddy, why is Mommy crying?"
Catherine told Beatrice to go upstairs.
Damian said, "Stay."
Then the recording ended.
Valeria sat in darkness with the tablet in her hands.
At seven, she drove both children to school herself.
Damian watched from the front door.
"You don't have to do that."
"I want to."
"I can take them."
"No."
One word.
His smile tightened.
Elliot climbed into the car.
Beatrice hesitated.
Damian placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"Have a good day."
Beatrice flinched.
Tiny.
Almost invisible.
Valeria saw it.
She waited until they were several streets away.
Then she asked, "Beatrice, do you remember your mother?"
The girl's face changed.
"Some things."
"Do you remember her being scared of your dad?"
Beatrice stared out the window.
Elliot looked at her.
Valeria kept driving.
"You don't have to answer now."
Beatrice whispered, "Sometimes."
Valeria gripped the wheel.
"Did he ever lock her in a room?"
Beatrice turned sharply.
"How do you know that?"
That was enough.
Valeria pulled into an empty parking area beside a park.
She turned off the engine.
Beatrice looked terrified.
"You're not in trouble."
"Did you find the recordings?"
Valeria stared at her.
"You knew?"
Beatrice's face crumpled.
Not crying.
Trying not to.
"My mom showed me the tablet."
"When?"
"I don't know. Before she died."
"What did she say?"
"That if Dad ever made me scared, I should remember that being scared doesn't mean I'm bad."
Valeria reached for her.
Beatrice moved away.
"Don't."
Valeria stopped.
"Okay."
"He said she was sick."
"Who?"
"Dad."
Valeria's voice softened.
"He told you your mother was sick?"
"He said she imagined things. He said that's why she died."
Valeria's stomach turned.
"Catherine died in an accident."
"I know."
"Did Damian ever tell you something different?"
Beatrice looked at Elliot.
Then back at Valeria.
"He said people who don't listen make bad things happen."
Valeria closed her eyes.
Elliot whispered, "That's what he says to me."
Beatrice looked at him.
"What?"
"He says if I don't listen, Mom could get tired and leave."
Beatrice's face changed.
"He told me you would send me away."
Valeria looked between them.
"What?"
Beatrice's voice shook.
"He said you only love Elliot because he's really yours."
Valeria felt tears in her eyes.
"Beatrice."
"He said if I cause problems, you'll decide having one kid is easier."
Valeria unfastened her seat belt.
She climbed into the back seat.
This time Beatrice did not pull away.
Valeria wrapped one arm around each child.
"Listen carefully. Both of you."
They looked at her.
"Damian has been lying."
Beatrice began crying.
Valeria held her tighter.
"You are not going anywhere."
"But he's my dad."
"I know."
"You can't stop him."
"I can protect you."
Beatrice shook her head violently.
"No."
"Yes."
"You don't understand."
Valeria looked at her.
"Then help me understand."
Beatrice wiped her face.
"He doesn't get angry like normal people."
Valeria waited.
"He gets quiet."
Elliot nodded.
Valeria felt cold.
Beatrice continued.
"When he gets quiet, he starts taking things away."
"What things?"
"Phones. Doors. Food sometimes."
Valeria's chest tightened.
"Food?"
"Not a lot."
"Any amount is too much."
"He says dinner is a privilege if I disrespect him."
Valeria looked at Elliot.
"Has he done that to you?"
Elliot nodded.
"Twice."
She had been traveling both times.
Of course.
Damian chose his moments.
Valeria reached for her phone.
She was ready to call the police.
Beatrice grabbed her wrist.
"No."
"Bee."
"He'll know."
"That is okay."
"No, it isn't."
"Why?"
Beatrice looked genuinely terrified now.
"Because he said if you ever tried to take us away, he had something that would make everyone think you're the dangerous one."
Valeria stared at her.
"What does he have?"
Beatrice whispered, "I don't know."
That afternoon Valeria met privately with an attorney named Marcus Hale.
She gave him copies of the recordings.
She explained everything.
Marcus listened without interrupting.
When she finished, he said, "Do not confront Damian alone."
Valeria looked at him.
"I already have."
"Then don't do it again."
"What can I do right now?"
"We document. We protect the children. We seek an emergency order if necessary."
"He is Beatrice's biological father."
"That matters. It does not give him permission to abuse her."
Valeria nodded.
Marcus continued.
"And if he has something he intends to use against you, we need to know what it is."
Valeria returned home before dinner.
Damian was not there.
She searched his office again.
Nothing.
Then she noticed a small black case in the back of the closet.
Locked.
She forced it open.
Inside were several flash drives.
A folder.
And photographs.
Photographs of Valeria.
Standing outside Elliot's school.
Arguing with Damian.
Holding a glass of wine at a party.
Crying beside Matthew's grave.
Each image had notes attached.
Emotional instability.
Alcohol use.
Obsessive behavior.
Parental overattachment.
Valeria understood.
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Damian had been building a case against her.
And he had started long before they were married.
