“First, talk from the very beginning, Gabrielle. I have all the time to hear them from you,” I say with an unyielding tone.
“I found out Suzanne was sleeping with Henry two months before Phoenix found out that I was cheating on him. Mom let me do it because she wanted me to break up with Phoenix,” she says with a low voice without looking at both of us. I think she feels guilty.
“Why did you listen to her?” I ask quickly.
“She abused me since I was still young—mentally, emotionally, and physically if she wouldn’t be satisfied with what I did. I was so terrified to say no. Dad thought she was the best mother for me because she behaved like a perfect mother role when Dad was around. Dad saw some bruises on my skin when he asked. Suzanne answered it for me—that I fell or, got an accident a
