**Author's Note:**
Due to the emotional and extensive nature of this chapter's material, I decided to split it into two parts. Additionally, to best reflect the story behind the words, I chose to present it from the perspective of the person it concerns.
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This chapter contains sensitive material that may be triggering for some readers, including themes of domestic violence, alcoholism, emotional abuse, and trauma. Reader discretion is advised.
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*Henrietta van der Meer*
I didn't think I could live with this secret for so long without consequences. At least, that's what I believed until now; however, I failed to consider that my silence over all these years carried its repercussions. I didn't realize, or perhaps I simply didn't want to acknowledge, that deep down, my son strug
