Chapter 15 Daphne

"Why do we have to go to therapy?" Tallulah whines, her arms crossed and her eyes shooting daggers at me. She stops in front of the door, blocking it. "I'm finally able to see Dad and you're making it all creepy by forcing us to talk to a stranger."

I don't want to be late and make a bad impression, but I take a deep breath and turn to her. "It's important that your dad understand the boundaries I've set. I'm only looking out for your welfare. You have to trust me on this."

"How is making me spill my guts to some shrink looking out for me? I just want to spend time with him. This is bullshit."

"That's enough. And watch your language. I'm not discussing this right now. We need to go."

"No."

"Young lady, you either get in that car right now or we'll cut this visit short and fly back to California."

Her eyes well up. "Why are you being such a bitch?"

Before the shock wears off and I can respond, Bella shouts at her.

"Don't talk to Mommy that way!"

"I know you're upset, Tallulah, but you cannot call me names. This is exactly why we need to go to therapy. Let's go."

She gives me a sullen look and steps aside. She doesn't speak to me the entire drive and Bella and I make casual conversation, trying to ignore the hostility oozing from Tallulah. We pull up to the office at the same time a black Mercedes S class drives in. I don't know how Jackson is able to afford a six-figure car after the IRS took all his funds, but then again, it's Jackson. Tallulah is out of the car and running toward him before I even put the car in park, and I sigh. I hope this therapist is as good as Dr. Marshall says.

"Good morning, Daphne, Bella." Jackson gives me his megawatt smile as he walks with his arm around Tallulah.

"Hi, Daddy," Bella answers but doesn't make a move toward him. I tighten my hold on her hand. I merely nod at him.

We're only in the waiting room a few minutes before the door opens and an attractive brunette in her forties beckons us inside. She extends a hand to me. "I'm Hannah, you must be Daphne. Unfortunately, Dr. Levander has been called out of town due to a death in the family. He's asked me to step in for him." I'm not only surprised at the first name, but also unsettled by not seeing the therapist Dr. Marshall recommended. I simply smile, however, and shake her hand. "Nice to meet you." After greetings have been shared all around, she looks at the girls.

"I'd like to have a few minutes with your parents. Do you mind waiting here?" She points to a bookcase. "There are books, as well as some iPads loaded with shows and movies."

"We have our own iPads, we'll be fine," Tallulah says, not bothering to look at her.

We follow her inside. The office is modern and stark, with a leather sofa and two chairs across from it. I take a chair, and Jackson the sofa.

Hannah adjusts her black-framed glasses and begins. "Thank you, Daphne, for allowing Dr. Marshall to fill Dr. Levander in on the work you've been doing with her. I'd like to commend both of you for putting your differences aside for the sake of your daughters. It's so important for parents to have a united front."

I scoff. "Let me be clear. There's no unity here. The only reason I've agreed to let Jackson have any role in my daughters' lives is out of concern for their emotional well-being. As Dr. Marshall has shared my file with you and if you've read it, you know I have every reason to never trust him again."

Hannah's expression gives nothing away, nor does Jackson's for that matter.

"I do understand, Daphne. I also know what Jackson has been through in the past year and with his permission, I've spoken to his parole officer who believes he's a changed man." She crosses her legs and leans forward. "I would be in the wrong profession if I didn't think people were capable of change."

I feel the heat rise to my face. "I'm not here to debate human nature. I need you to help me make Tallulah, our older daughter, understand that I'm putting rules in place for her own good. Jackson has no parental rights, but I'm willing to allow him time with the girls as long as I'm present when he sees them. She's already fighting me on this."

Jackson finally speaks. "Daphne, I promise to abide by the parameters you've set. I don't have any desire to confuse Tallulah or to cause strain to your relationship with her. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to see the girls that I have no intention of doing anything to jeopardize that. I hope you can believe me."

Hannah looks like a proud teacher, and I want to slap the smile off her face. I realize this is not going to be therapy but rather playacting and I need to be as good as Jackson. I turn to him. "It's so good to hear that. I really appreciate your willingness to work with me. And I do know that you care as much about our children's happiness as I do. I hope you can understand that after everything you put me through—you know, the gaslighting, the sexual humiliation, starvation diets—that, um, it's going to take me a while. And Bella too—after all, you constantly made fun of her learning disability. But maybe now that she can read you won't tell her she looks ugly when she stutters over a word."

Hannah's smile is replaced by a look of horror, and that little vein in Jackson's forehead is pulsing.

I sit back and smile. "Shall we invite the children in?"