The Woman in Green Without an Audience
Chapter 16 - The Woman in Green Without an Audience
Camilla requested a meeting before sentencing.
Adrian declined.
Nora accepted once, with attorneys present.
Camilla entered the interview room wearing a plain gray prison uniform rather than emerald silk.
“You became powerful because of one blanket,” she said.
Nora shook her head.
“No. You lost power because you believed humiliating someone made your argument stronger.”
Camilla insisted the crash plan was meant only to delay Adrian. She claimed Lucas exaggerated the company’s danger and Hale assured her the medication was harmless.
Nora listened.
Every conspirator reduced his or her role until harm became an unfortunate collaboration with no author.
“Why did you pull off the blanket?” Nora asked.
Camilla looked away.
“I was angry.”
“You wanted the guests to see his legs.”
“I wanted them to see he could not lead.”
“Those are not the same thing.”
Camilla’s eyes filled.
She admitted resenting Adrian since childhood. Edward praised his judgment, while Camilla managed crises without recognition. After the crash, she finally controlled the rooms where he once outranked her.
His recovery threatened that position.
“You could have led beside him,” Nora said.
“He would never have trusted me.”
“Then you proved him correct in the most expensive way possible.”
Camilla asked whether Nora forgave her.
Nora answered.
“Forgiveness is not evidence you are entitled to collect.”
The meeting ended.
May you like
Nora left without triumph.
Understanding a person’s wound did not require accepting the wound they inflicted on others.
