Chapter 116
“I want a full security review,” I said, laying out the plan I’d been formulating even through the emotional whirlwind of the past hour. “Every entrance to our quarters, every possible angle of approach, thoroughly assessed and reinforced. I want Evelyn’s movements through the compound accompanied at all times, not just periodically monitored. And I want the investigation into Genevieve expedited, whatever pressure needs to be applied to the council to move faster given this new, escalating pattern of behavior.
“That’s reasonable,” my father said, nodding slowly. “I can speak with several council members directly, given my own position, even in my current recovering state. Emphasize the urgency, the genuine danger this represents.”
“I’d also suggest,” my mother added carefully, “considering whether Genevieve might benefit from some kind of formal psychiatric evaluation, similar to what Marissa received. Her behavior pattern-the fixation, the escalating threats, the apparent inability to accept rejection-suggests something beyond simple anger or retaliation. It might genuinely be relevant to how the council ultimately handles this.”
I considered that, understanding the wisdom in her observation even as old anger still simmered beneath my more measured thinking. “That’s a good point. I’ll raise it with Helena directly.”
We spent the next hour working through practical details-specific security protocols, timeline for the expedited investigation, how we might balance genuine protection with actually allowing Evelyn and Willow some semblance of normal, unrestricted life rather than permanent, fearful confinement.
Throughout the conversation, I remained acutely aware of Evelyn beside me, watching her carefully, gauging her reactions to each proposed measure, needing her genuine input rather than simply imposing whatever protective instincts my own fear and anger were driving me toward.
“What about the diner,” my mother asked eventually, echoing the concern Evelyn had raised earlier. “You mentioned needing to figure out how to protect that as well.”
“I don’t want to abandon it,” Evelyn said firmly. “Pete and Marion have been managing it wonderfully, but it’s still genuinely important to me, both practically and personally.”
“We could arrange additional security there too,” my father suggested. “Discreet, but present. Someone watching for any unusual activity, any sign Genevieve might attempt something in that location as well.”
“That would help,” Evelyn said, some relief evident in her voice at not being asked to simply sacrifice everything she’d built.
We continued refining the plan together, and I found myself grateful for my parents’ genuine, practical support, for the way this entire crisis seemed to be drawing our family closer together rather than further fracturing under the accumulated stress of everything we’d faced these past several months.

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