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Chapter 21 - Ava Learns the Story

Ava grew.

At seven she began asking why Seraphine lived somewhere else.

Answers changed with age.

At first:

“Mom made unsafe choices.”

Later:

“She hurt Milo and put both of you in danger.”

At eight:

“She tried to make people believe Milo was dangerous when he wasn’t.”

Ava became angry.

“At me?”

“No.”

“She used me?”

“Yes.”

Ava cried.

Then worried she was betraying Seraphine by loving Milo.

Adrian said:

“You don’t have to choose.”

Family therapist reinforced.

Children should not manage adult moral accounting.

Ava could love mother.

Love brother.

Be angry.

All at once.

May you like

Complexity without confusion was possible when adults stopped forcing sides.

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