Chapter 19 - The Isolated Queen
In late autumn, almost a year after that fateful Christmas dinner, Arthur received a call from an old family friend.
Diane was living alone in a small apartment on the outskirts of Columbus. She had alienated every single friend from her old country club social circle after the video of her assault went viral online. Marcus had stopped visiting her after she refused to seek professional psychological therapy. Natalie had cut contact after Diane accused her of being a traitor for getting a job.
She was completely alone in the world she had built out of pride, deceit, and malice.
Arthur visited her once, accompanied by a social worker, to ensure she was physically safe and had basic amenities.
When Arthur returned home that evening, he sat on our porch with Ethan and me while Mia played with autumn leaves in the yard.
"How was she?" Ethan asked quietly.
Arthur sighed, sipping his tea. "She hasn't changed. She sat in her living room telling me that everyone else was to blame—that the judge was bought, that the media was biased, and that you were an ungrateful son."
"She's living in a prison of her own making," I noted softly.
May you like
"Yes," Arthur agreed. "She spent her entire life trying to rule a fake kingdom, and now she's the only subject left inside it."
Ethan held my hand, squeezing it tight. "We tried for years to save her from herself. But some people would rather burn their own home down than admit they aren't the ruler."
