Chapter 8 - Vanessa’s hatred of Grace made sense once Ethan saw the pattern
Vanessa despised Grace because Grace disrupted the isolation the entire strategy required.
When Ethan traveled, Vanessa wanted to become the only adult whose version of reality mattered.
Grace prevented that.
She comforted Lucas after punishments.
She returned confiscated sentimental objects.
She contradicted lies.
Most importantly, she repeatedly told Lucas:
“Your dad loves you.”
That sentence sounds harmless.
To Vanessa, it was sabotage.
If Lucas remained secure in Ethan’s love, fear could not reshape him as easily.
Vanessa therefore began reframing Grace too.
She told Ethan that Grace was unable to accept the changing family structure after Emily’s death.
She suggested Grace treated Lucas “like a replacement grandchild.”
She complained that staff should not undermine a parent.
The final email Vanessa sent to the household employment agency before the gallery incident was a request for replacement candidates.
She had not fired Grace yet.
But she was preparing to.
One note read:
Need someone professional who understands boundaries and will not emotionally insert herself between spouses and child.
Ethan showed Grace the email.
She stared at it.
Then laughed once.
“I guess I was about to disappear too.”
The statement was bitter, but true.
Vanessa’s plan worked only if Lucas lost the adults who might contradict her.
First Grace.
Then, eventually, Lucas himself would be sent away.
The house would become quiet.
Vanessa called that stability.
May you like
Ethan finally understood it as elimination.
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