Chapter 8 - THE CHILDREN
Clara and Lily had seen more than adults realized.
Child specialist Emma Brooks interviewed them separately.
No leading questions.
No financial language.
Clara said:
“Seraphina hates when Elena talks to Dad alone.”
Lily said:
“Seraphina says Elena thinks she owns the house.”
Clara remembered an argument.
Seraphina:
“You work here.”
Elena:
“I know.”
Seraphina:
“Then stop acting like Arthur asked your opinion.”
That matched Elena’s account.
Then Clara said something unexpected.
“Seraphina asked me what happens if Dad dies.”
The interviewer stayed calm.
“What did she ask?”
“Who signs school papers.”
Anything else?
“If I want her to keep living with us.”
Clara said she answered yes.
Why?
“She’s my stepmom.”
That was normal.
Then:
“She said I should tell Mr. Malcolm too.”
Arthur closed his eyes when he heard that.
Seraphina had discussed future household authority with a nine-year-old.
Not coercively.
Not asking Clara to sign anything.
Still inappropriate.
Lauren argued:
“Blended families discuss death planning.”
True.
Grace answered:
May you like
“Not through a fired administrator trying to alter trust mechanics.”
Again, the defense narrowed.
