The Slap He Could Never Forget

The following morning, Theron drove into Manhattan with Julian beside him.

He had barely slept. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Eirlys's face after the slap, the note hidden inside Buttons, and Corisande crushing the photograph in her hand.

He kept returning to one question.

How could a woman who had abandoned her own daughter become so resentful of a little girl who had done nothing except ask for love?

Julian had arranged the meeting at a quiet law office on the Upper East Side. Waiting for them was a woman in her late sixties with silver hair, a navy cardigan, and a leather handbag resting on her lap.

Her name was Margaret Vale.

She stood when Theron entered.

"Mr. Viremont," she said.

"Thank you for coming.""

"Thank you for agreeing to meet us.""

Margaret looked at Julian.

"I understand you've seen the photograph.""

"Yes," Julian replied.

"We'd like to understand the circumstances surrounding Amelie's placement with you.""

Margaret sat down.

For several seconds, she studied her hands.

"Corisande was twenty-three when she married my son, Daniel. They were young, but they loved each other. When Amelie was born, Corisande seemed happy. She took thousands of photographs and dressed the baby in little pink outfits.""

Her mouth trembled.

"Then Daniel died in a car accident.""

Theron leaned forward.

"I'm sorry.""

"Thank you. Amelie was only two. Corisande was devastated. I thought she would need time to recover, and I offered to help with the baby.""

"What happened?""

"At first, she accepted. Then she began going out more often. She left Amelie with me for weekends, then weeks. Eventually, she stopped coming home regularly.""

Margaret opened her handbag and removed a thin folder.

"I kept everything because I was afraid she'd disappear completely.""

Inside were copies of letters, photographs, and a signed family-care agreement.

Julian examined the documents.

"Did Corisande legally surrender parental rights?""

"No. She retained certain rights, but Amelie has lived with me continuously since she was four. Corisande agreed that I would provide her primary care.""

"Why didn't she take her daughter back?""

Margaret gave a sad smile.

"She said she wanted to build a career. Then she said she needed to find herself. Later, she said she couldn't bear living in a house where everything reminded her of Daniel.""

She paused.

"The truth was more complicated. Corisande wanted a different life. She wanted beautiful clothes, expensive restaurants, and a husband who could give her the world. She didn't want to be tied down by a child.""

Theron felt his stomach tighten.

"Did she ever abuse Amelie?""

Margaret's expression changed.

"I never witnessed her hitting the child. But Amelie became frightened of disappointing her mother. She would apologize for spilling milk or dropping a toy. She learned to stay quiet whenever Corisande was upset.""

The words sounded painfully familiar.

"Did Corisande ever punish her by locking her in a room?""

Margaret looked up sharply.

"How did you know about that?""

Theron went still.

"You're saying she did?""

Margaret closed her eyes.

"Once. Amelie was four. She had knocked over a glass, and Corisande locked her in the spare bedroom. I heard her crying and let her out.""

"How long was she in there?""

"Perhaps twenty minutes. Corisande said it was a timeout. I told her it was unacceptable.""

Margaret's fingers trembled.

"She told me that if I wanted to raise the child so badly, I could keep her.""

Julian made a note.

"And you did?""

"Of course.""

Margaret lifted her chin.

"Amelie is my granddaughter. I love her. But I never wanted to replace her mother. I wanted Corisande to become the mother Amelie deserved.""

Theron looked at the photograph.

"Why did Corisande contact you recently?""

Margaret's expression became guarded.

"She wants Amelie to live with her again.""

"Why now?""

"She says she has changed. She says her husband can provide the stability she never had before.""

Theron stared at her.

"Did she mention me?""

"She mentioned your wealth. Your house. Your business.""

Margaret looked uncomfortable.

"She said that with you beside her, she could finally give Amelie the life she deserved.""

Theron felt anger rising in his chest.

"She hasn't asked me about Amelie. She hasn't told me what happened to her. She has never even mentioned that she has a daughter.""

Margaret's face softened.

"Then perhaps she doesn't intend to bring Amelie home for the reason she claims.""

Julian closed the folder.

"Mrs. Vale, would you be willing to provide copies of these records to the appropriate authorities if necessary?""

"Yes.""

"And would you allow Amelie to speak with a qualified professional about her experiences, if that became appropriate?""

Margaret nodded.

"Anything that helps keep her safe.""

The meeting continued for another twenty minutes. Margaret provided contact information for Amelie's school and the family counselor who had helped her adjust after moving in with her grandmother.

Before they left, she reached into her handbag and removed a small photograph.

It showed a little girl sitting on a swing, her dark curls tied into two uneven pigtails.

"Amelie was always a gentle child," Margaret said.

"She loved drawing pictures for her mother. Even after Corisande stopped visiting regularly, she kept making them.""

She passed the photograph to Theron.

On the back, in a child's handwriting, were the words:

For Mommy. Please come home.

Theron swallowed.

"Did Corisande ever respond?""

Margaret shook her head.

"Not to most of them.""

The drive back to Greenwich was silent for several miles.

Finally, Julian spoke.

"We have to be careful not to assume that Corisande's treatment of Amelie proves what happened with Eirlys. But it does establish a pattern worth investigating.""

"I understand.""

"And if she's trying to regain custody or care of Amelie, we need to know whether your marriage, your finances, or your household arrangements are part of her motivation.""

Theron looked out the window.

"She told me she wanted a family.""

"She may have wanted one. The question is what she expected that family to give her.""

When Theron arrived home, Corisande was waiting in the entrance hall.

She had changed into a fitted black dress and stood beside a suitcase.

"Where have you been?"" she asked.

"Meeting Julian.""

"About me?""

"About Amelie.""

Her fingers tightened around the handle of the suitcase.

"So you've been speaking to Margaret.""

"Yes.""

Corisande looked toward the staircase.

"Where's Eirlys?""

"With Miss Harper.""

"Good. I don't want her listening to this.""

Theron almost laughed at the absurdity of the statement.

"You don't want her listening to what?""

"Private family matters.""

"Amelie is your daughter, and you never told me she existed.""

Corisande dropped the suitcase handle.

"Because I knew you'd judge me.""

"You left her with her grandmother.""

"I made a decision when I was young!""

"You were a mother.""

"And I was grieving! Daniel was dead. I couldn't breathe in that house without remembering him. Every time I looked at Amelie, I saw his face.""

Theron studied her.

For a brief moment, he saw something other than anger. He saw grief, perhaps even shame.

But then she continued.

"Margaret made everything worse. She treated me like an unfit mother. She told everyone I was selfish. She took my daughter from me.""

"She cared for Amelie because you left her there.""

"I needed time.""

"You had six years.""

Corisande's eyes filled with tears.

"I was trying to build a life. I wanted to become someone again. Is that so terrible?""

"No. But pretending your daughter never existed was.""

She wiped her eyes.

"I was going to tell you.""

"When?""

"When the time was right.""

"The time was right when we got married. It was right when you told me you wanted children. It was right every time you complained that Eirlys took too much of my attention.""

Corisande flinched.

"Don't bring Eirlys into this.""

"She's already in this. She's been living with your anger while you secretly tried to bring Amelie back.""

Corisande looked away.

Theron stepped closer.

"Why did you suddenly want Amelie to live with you?""

"Because she's my daughter.""

"That doesn't answer my question.""

She stared at him.

Then, in a quiet voice, she said, "I thought having her here would make everything easier.""

"What would be easier?""

Corisande opened her mouth.

A voice came from the staircase.

"Mrs. Viremont?""

Miss Harper stood on the landing, holding Eirlys's hand.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Eirlys says she wants to speak to her father.""

Theron immediately turned.

Eirlys descended slowly, holding a sheet of paper against her chest.

When she reached him, she handed it over.

It was a drawing of three people standing beside a house. One was a tall man with dark hair. Another was a little girl with golden curls. The third was a woman drawn in black crayon, standing far away from the others.

Theron knelt.

"Can you tell me about your picture?""

Eirlys pointed at the little girl.

"That's me.""

"And who's this?""

"Daddy.""

He pointed to the woman.

Eirlys lowered her eyes.

"That's Mommy.""

"Why is she so far away?""

The little girl rubbed the corner of the paper between her fingers.

"Because she says she doesn't want me.""