Emma- and much to my displeasure- Billy sat upon the living room couch, awaiting my story.

Was I about to divulge Hero's private escapades regarding Dierdre once again?

Yes.

Yes I was.

Mr. Mcdonald lifted his pesky clipboard making me want to swat him with it.

God damn.

Did he need to carry it everywhere?

"Mrs. Tiffin. This is for your discretion. Just in case things go case south marriage-wise."

No. Didn't like that at all.

This was a rough patch, right?

"Look. My husband has his moments, but using past sexual abuse against him won't help matters-"

"Yes, but if we pursue this sex tape it may make you credible."

Jesus.

"Absolutely not! This will not be a smear campaign. He is my forever person... not some fling that is due to flee unbeknownst-"

Being the most irritating individual known to man, McDonald cut in.

"But he's already done that, correct?"

Oh you fucking bastard.

With teeth clenched together, I responded:

"There was good reason for that."

Emma knelt forward, Eleanor beginning to fall fast asleep.

"Intention doesn't excuse present behavior, honey."

All of a sudden, red-hot fury erupted.

"Mom... Mind giving me my child? Think you've held her long enough."

God.

If there anything I had sway over it was Eleanor's well-being.

Loved Emma more than anything, but she'd been too over-bearing.

Sometimes even creepy.

Thankfully she handed over the resting bundle, who attempted to find solace in my arms.

How such a perfect creature could have been created out of this mess was dumbfounding.

After some silence, I continued.

"The abuse never stopped. It went on until we met. Maybe even now persists."

Billy merely nodded while jotting down notes, though Emma's mouth fell slack.

At least she would stop with negative comments for now.

"What do you mean never stopped? And it's still going on as we speak?"

I paused to clasp my hands together.

Don't cry. Don't cry.

"Um... We tried to go to therapy but it never seemed to actually work. He has this tether to Diedre. Like some sort of power. Grandfather Tiffin passed when Hero was ten and..."

No. No. No.

This felt so wrong to admit but if someone didn't put in work to keep that bitch at bay, she'd never go.

My mother clasped both hands to her mouth understanding completely.

Thank heavens.

Billy cleared his throat tapping a pen incessantly.

"Do you mean to tell us his grandfather's passing has dominion over the matter of his... Rape...?"

He suddenly found the ceiling much more appealing after speaking.

Huh. Seemed lawyers did have souls.

"Yes, Mr. Mcdonald that's exactly what I'm saying. It's wrecked Hero his entire life. Thinks it's his fault and therefore deserves everything. Did stuff from oral teachings to..."

God. How could any child at ten believe it was their fault?

"Pretty sure she's got him back with those talons of hers again. We were at our friends wedding and she appeared in the bathroom while we dealt with our business."

I ignored the sharp looks at this declaration and went on.

"It's disgusting the way she handles things and he needs to stop inviting her back in."

Billy grunted jumping from the couch.

"Agreed."

He then thrusted a card under my nose.

"McDonald Corporation info. Do hold onto it and I will call for updates. Seems there's piles of history to sift through. Mrs. Wright."

As the man made for the front door, could already tell trouble would be on the horizon.

Ta-Da!!

Saw that some of you didn't like Emma's behavior :/

What do you think of their lawyer?

Love you all.