Chapter 19: Unveiling the Past

Alice had grown accustomed to the rhythm of life as a Moriarty. With each passing day, she found herself more entrenched in the family dynamic, attending meetings, social gatherings, and family dinners. Yet, amid all the normalcy, there remained an unspoken heaviness that lingered in the air.

One crisp afternoon, Jonathan and Eleanor had scheduled a meeting with Alice at their elegant home. She arrived early, the anticipation buzzing in her chest. The afternoon sun streamed through the large windows, illuminating the tastefully decorated room filled with family portraits and heirlooms.

Eleanor entered the room, her smile warm but her eyes reflecting something deeper. "Alice, thank you for coming. I wanted to talk to you about something important."

Alice nodded, sensing the gravity in Eleanor's tone. "Of course, Mrs. Moriarty. What's on your mind?"

"Please, call me Eleanor," she replied, motioning for Alice to take a seat on the plush couch. "I think it's time we had a heart-to-heart."

As they settled in, Alice noticed the tension in Eleanor's posture. The normally composed woman seemed to carry a weight of her own, and Alice's curiosity deepened.

"I've been meaning to talk to you about Elliot," Eleanor began, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "I know you two are working through things together, but there are aspects of his past that I think you should understand—especially about what he endured during his kidnapping."

Alice's heart sank at the mention of Elliot's abduction. She had known it had been traumatic, but the depth of it was something she had only begun to scratch the surface of. "I'd like to know," she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper.

Eleanor took a deep breath, her gaze drifting to the window. "When Elliot was taken, it was a nightmare. We had no idea where he was, what was happening to him. The media painted a picture of a simple kidnapping for ransom, but it was much worse."

Alice leaned forward, her heart racing. "What do you mean?"

"There was so much more involved," Eleanor said, her voice breaking slightly. "They tortured him emotionally and psychologically. They wanted to break him. I didn't know until after he returned—the extent of the suffering he went through."

Tears welled in Alice's eyes as she listened, feeling the weight of her husband's pain washing over her. "What happened to him?" she asked, barely able to hold back her emotions.

"Elliot was forced into labor—hard labor. They wanted to strip away everything that made him who he was, and they did. They sought to mold him into someone else, someone they could control."

Eleanor's voice trembled as she continued. "When he finally came home, we were all relieved. But I didn't realize the scars—both physical and emotional—that he carried with him. Jonathan made the decision to have the scars removed surgically, believing it would help Elliot move forward. But I think he misunderstood. Removing the scars didn't erase the memories; it didn't undo the trauma."

Alice felt her heart clench, a wave of sadness washing over her. "He's been through so much," she murmured, the tears spilling over as she thought of Elliot's struggles.

"I didn't know how bad it was until after the surgeries were done," Eleanor admitted, her voice thick with emotion. "I thought I was helping him, but I realize now that it was just a Band-Aid on a deep wound. He's still processing everything—trying to come to terms with the nightmares and the fear that still haunt him."

"His PTSD…" Alice began, her voice quivering. "He mentioned it, but I didn't understand. I thought he was just under stress."

Eleanor nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. "It's so much more than that. It's reliving the horrors every night, feeling trapped in his own mind. And I don't think he's told you everything. He tries to shield you from the pain he carries, but it's hard for him to let go."

Alice's heart broke for Elliot, for the boy who had become a man shaped by unimaginable trauma. "I want to help him," she whispered, wiping away her tears. "But I don't know how."

"You're already doing so much simply by being there for him," Eleanor said gently, placing a comforting hand on Alice's knee. "But it's important for you to understand the depth of his suffering. He needs time and understanding. The road ahead is long, but your love can be a guiding light."

Alice looked into Eleanor's eyes, feeling a bond forming between them—one forged in shared pain and the desire to see Elliot heal. "I won't let him face this alone," she vowed, determination filling her voice.

As the two women shared their emotions, the atmosphere shifted from one of despair to hope. They spoke candidly about Elliot's struggles, about how to support him as a family, and the importance of communication.

In that moment, Alice realized that she wasn't just marrying into a powerful family; she was becoming a part of a narrative much larger than herself. And with that understanding, she vowed to stand beside Elliot, no matter the challenges they faced.

As the conversation drew to a close, Alice felt a renewed sense of purpose. She wiped her eyes, drawing strength from Eleanor's words. Together, they would help Elliot navigate the shadows of his past, one step at a time.