Chapter 5 - The Woman Behind the MaskDiane was arrested and released on bond.
A protective order followed.
She couldn't come near our home, our workplaces, Noah, or Lily.
But she wasn't finished.
She contacted relatives.
Friends.
Old family acquaintances.
She told them I was unstable.
That Ryan was brainwashed.
That Lily had been coached.
That the video was fake.
Some people believed her.
Others didn't.
Then Ryan's father arrived from out of state.
He listened to everything.
Finally, he looked at his son.
“I should have seen this years ago.”
Ryan shook his head.
“You left her. That was probably the bravest thing you ever did.”
That night, Ryan and I began therapy.
Lily started therapy too.
Dr. Maya told us something that stayed with me.
“Children don't need perfect adults. They need adults who make them feel safe.”
I looked at Lily.
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She had spent years trying to make herself small enough not to anger Diane.
Now she was learning she didn't have to.
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