Victoria’s Visit
Chapter 14 - Victoria’s Visit
Victoria asked to see Oliver six months later.
Her criminal case was still pending. She lived in a rented condominium under court restrictions, her name removed from the board, her social circle reduced to people who enjoyed scandal until it became expensive.
Nathan wanted to refuse.
Oliver surprised him.
“I want to hear if she can say Mom’s name.”
The meeting took place in a therapist’s office with neutral walls, two doors, and no family objects. Nathan sat nearby. Mrs. Alvarez waited outside. Victoria entered wearing a simple gray dress with no diamonds.
She looked smaller without the mansion behind her.
Oliver did not stand.
Victoria began with explanations. Their father was controlling. Elena was reckless. The company was vulnerable. She was young when the first letters disappeared. Later choices became necessary because earlier lies had to be protected.
The therapist interrupted.
“Those are reasons. Oliver asked whether you can name the person you harmed.”
Victoria looked at the boy.
“Elena.”
Oliver’s jaw tightened.
“My mom.”
“Yes.”
“What did you do?”
Victoria’s eyes filled, but Oliver did not rescue her from the answer.
“I kept Nathan’s letters from her. I kept her calls from your grandfather. I threatened her when she asked for help. I lied about you.”
“And when I came to the house?”
Victoria looked down.
“I frightened you.”
“You called her a liar.”
“Yes.”
Oliver’s hands shook in his lap.
Nathan nearly ended the session, but Oliver continued.
“Are you sorry because you lost the house?”
Victoria began to say no.
Then stopped.
“At first,” she admitted, “I was sorry because I lost everything.”
It was the first honest thing Oliver had heard from her.
“And now?”
“Now I understand I lost Elena long before she died.”
Oliver cried silently.
Victoria did not move toward him.
She had finally learned that remorse did not create entitlement to comfort.
When the session ended, Oliver said, “I don’t forgive you yet.”
Victoria nodded.
“You don’t have to.”
Outside, Nathan asked if the meeting helped.
Oliver thought for a long time.
May you like
“She said Mom’s name,” he replied.
For that day, it was enough.
