But I remembered Chloe’s whisper.
Daddy said if I woke up, I would ruin everything.
Those words echoed through my mind until I could barely hear anything else.
What Chloe Remembered
Two days later, Chloe was strong enough to speak briefly with a specialist trained to interview children.
The conversation was conducted carefully, without pressuring her or asking questions designed to suggest particular answers.
I wasn’t present during the formal interview.
But afterward, the investigators explained that Chloe had described several troubling events.
She remembered her parents arguing late at night about money.
She remembered Victoria crying in the kitchen while Julian repeatedly said they were running out of time.
And she remembered her father telling her that she would need to participate in a special game.
According to Chloe, Julian said she would be given something to help her sleep and that she must remain quiet afterward.
