Chapter 9 - THE GIRL IN THE BLUE ROOM
Two days later, Isabella met with a child specialist recommended by Elena.
The meeting took place in a quiet office with pale blue walls.
There were books.
Drawing materials.
A small aquarium.
I waited outside.
I hated waiting.
I wanted to sit beside her.
I wanted to answer every question for her.
But this was one of the first moments when protecting Isabella meant letting another trusted adult hear her without me influencing the conversation.
Forty-seven minutes later, the specialist opened the door.
Isabella walked out holding a drawing.
She handed it to me.
It showed two houses.
One was enormous and gray.
The other was smaller and yellow.
A little girl stood outside the yellow one.
Beside her was a tall figure holding her hand.
“What’s this?”
“The safe house.”
I swallowed.
“And that one?”
“The villa.”
“Why is nobody outside it?”
She shrugged.
“Because it doesn’t feel like a home.”
I folded the drawing carefully.
The specialist spoke privately with me afterward.
She didn’t reveal details Isabella had asked to keep confidential.
She didn’t need to.
“She shows signs of prolonged fear and emotional control.”
I stared through the office window.
“Did she say how long?”
“Long enough that she adapted her behavior around avoiding punishment.”
My hands curled.
The specialist continued.
“She also believes she was responsible for keeping peace in the house.”
“She’s eight.”
“I know.”
That sentence almost destroyed my composure.
“What do I do?”
“Be predictable.”
I looked at her.
“Predictable?”
“Keep your promises.”
She folded her hands.
“Don’t disappear without explaining.”
I felt the words land.
“Don’t make her manage your emotions.”
Another blow.
“Don’t ask her to forgive anyone before she’s ready.”
I nodded.
“And most importantly, let her be eight.”
That afternoon, I canceled my next trip to Dubai.
Then I canceled a meeting in London.
Then another in Frankfurt.
My assistant called.
“Should I reschedule them?”
“No.”
“For when?”
“I don’t know.”
There was silence.
That answer had never come from me before.
I looked at Isabella sitting beside the hotel pool with Rosa.
May you like
She was drawing crooked flowers on a paper napkin.
“For once,” I said, “the company can work around my life.”
