Chapter 115 Chapter 115
Liana's Pov
The silence in the house was more heavy at night. Cam had fallen asleep earlier after dinner, her fox held tight under one arm, a soft rice smudge remaining on her cheek. I couldn't quite get myself to clean it off… not yet. She was too peaceful.
I was scrubbing mugs in the kitchen sink when Mum slid in quietly, the edge of her wrapper sliding over the tiled floor.
"She's out like a light," she murmured, wringing her hands with a tea towel.
I nodded. "She was tired. Hospital really stressed her."
Mum leaned against the counter, watching me with a look I was far too used to. That look meant that an argument was coming and it was one I was not going to enjoy.
"I've been thinking." she began slowly.
I let out a groan, bracing myself. "That never means anything good."
"I think you should talk to her," she said.
I stared at her, confused. "What do you mean?"
She gave me a stern glare. "About the case. About what is going on. Not all of it, Liana, but enough so she understands."
I shook my head firmly. "Mum, no. She's too young. She's only six years old. How is she going to handle all that?"
"She may be six but she is not a fool," Mum said quietly but firmly. "That child is smart. She picks up on more than you know. She gets that there is something going on even if you haven't told her. And she is aware of who her dad is now."
"Which is why I don't want to confuse her," I said, my tone raised. "I don't want her to be saddled with the weight she doesn't need. She just needs to be able to be a child."
"She is a child. But a child growing up in the middle of a storm, Liana," Mum said softly. "If you don't explain the rain to her, she'll think she caused it to happen."
I swallowed hard, turning away to hide the flush climbing in my chest. "Mum…"
"She needs to know that you're fighting for her. That you're protecting her. That her daddy's mistakes is the reason why you're standing in court not because you want to take her from him, but because you want to protect her."
I remained silent for a moment, the silence between us hung like thick fog.
"I don't want to make him a villain," I murmured.
"You don't have to. Tell the truth, say enough that she understands what's happening without scaring her. This isn't about frightening her, it's about making her safe."
I turned to her. "What if she asks me something I can't explain?"
"Then say you'll respond to what you know. The rest can wait until later."
I stared down at my wet hands in the sink. Thinking of having that conversation with Cam made my stomach rumble not because I didn't want her to be informed, but because I didn't want her to be hurt.
Mum placed a hand on my arm. "This is your chance to put your version of the truth out there before someone else gives her one you'll disapprove of."
I nodded slowly. "I will try."
………..
I sat beside Cam on the bed, stroking her curls with my fingers and gently waking her. Her eyes opened, heavy with sleep.
"Mummy?"
"I'm here, baby," I whispered, nibbling at her forehead.
She rubbed at her eyes and sat up, still holding her fox. "I wanted to talk to you about something," I said, trying to keep my voice calm and friendly.
She leaned over to one side, listening. "You know how I’ve been sleeping in different places lately?"
She nodded again.
"Well, that's because some things have been happening with… with Daddy," I said diplomatically. "Big peoples things that are sort of hard to explain.".
Her eyes fogged over with something very worry like. "Did Daddy do something bad to you again?"
I swallowed hard and held her hand. “Not now honey. Remember I told you he did something very bad to Mummy in the past? now, Mummy is going to court to make sure that he can't hurt Mummy ever again."
She blinked up at me. "Is Daddy going to prison?"
"No, baby. He is not going to jail," I said quickly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze even though I knew he might. "This isn't about punishment. This is about making sure we're safe. Making sure you're safe."
She looked down at her fox. "Am I in trouble?"
“No, baby. You've done nothing wrong," I said to her. "You're safe. And I'm doing all of this because I love you… because I want you to be safe and I want to see you grow up happy and healthy."
Cam didn't say anything for a whole minute. And then, in a small voice, she said, "Would I still talk to him?
I felt the lump in my throat again but made myself go on. "Yes. If you want to talk to Daddy, it's okay," I said. "But I need you to know this. Talking to Daddy does not mean that you are against Mummy, okay? I would need you to have a good relationship with him."
She nodded hesitantly, her voice softer than before. "Will he still be nasty?"
I waited, then answered honestly. "Not to you. And if he ever is, you can let me know. I'll always protect you."
She nodded again, then snuggled into my lap, sitting on me like she did as a child.
"I love you, Mummy."
"I love you more," I breathed into her hair.