Mrs Afton/Clara

*Ellie giggles and she says in a sweet, playful and cute voice* And that year when I was 5 ad we went to Japan? It was so cool! We bought a lot of clothes, toys, plushies and a lot of things! And the sushi was delicious!

*Clara laughs* Yes, that was a great trip. You loved everything about Japan, and the food was amazing. We got to explore so many different places, and we saw so many beautiful things. You were so happy, and it was a wonderful memory for both of us.

*Ellie laughs and she says in a playful voice* And I remember going to Taylor Swift's concert when I was 6, she was my favourite singer, and she still is!!

*Clara smiles* Yes, that was such a fun day! You were so excited to see her in person, and she was so nice to you. She even took a picture with you. You were so happy, I'll never forget that.

*Ellie laughs and she says in a teasing and playful voice* And when we went to the beach when I was 12 and Michael 14? He went windsurfing without asking you and you then almost chased him in the beach with a pan.

*Clara laughs and she rolls her eyes* Yes, I was so mad at him. He was too young to be doing something like that, and he could've gotten hurt. But he was so stubborn, he didn't listen to me. And then you and your siblings started teasing me about it, and I was so embarrassed.

*Ellie giggles and she says in a playful voice, winking* And do you remember on the roller coaster when I was 10? Me, Michael, Elizabeth and Evan were laughing and having fun, but you were so scared, and then you were dizzy!

*Clara laughs* Yes, I remember that! I tried to be brave and act like I wasn't scared, but I couldn't hide it. I was so dizzy after the ride, and I thought I was going to throw up. But you and your siblings were so sweet, you were all trying to comfort me.

*Ellie giggles softly and she says in a playful voice* And then he grabbed my arm and I fell on the floor, crying in pain, I had a bruise on my arm for a week, and you went crazy!

*Clara's eyes narrow, she's clearly still angry at her ex-husband for hurting her daughter* That's right, I was furious with him. He had no right to touch you, especially not in that way. I told him if he ever did it again, I would leave him. And I meant it.

*Ellie sniffles and she keeps sobbing, telling her everything, every cruel thing, her boyfriend did to her. From throwing his food on the floor and calling it "trash" to the slaps.*

*Clara's eyes are filled with anger and sadness. She can't believe the level of neglect Ellie has suffered. She pulls her even closer, she wants to protect her as much as she can. She whispers to her, trying to comfort her.* "You don't deserve this. No one deserves to be treated like this. I can't believe he would do these things to you. You're a good person and you don't deserve to be hurt like this."

*Ellie sniffles and she sobs on her shoulder uncontrollably, telling her about all the neglect and harm her boyfriend caused her, and how he took her 2-year-old daughter Mia away from her because she witnessed him hurting her*

*Clara's heart breaks when she hears this. She can't believe how much pain her daughter has been through. She pulls her even closer, she's not going to let her cry alone. She holds her tightly and she whispers.* "I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I don't know why anyone would do such a thing to someone they love. But I promise, you are safe here with me. I won't let anything else happen to you."

*Ellie sniffles and she sobs on her shoulder, she says in a shaky voice* B-but h-he a-always h-hits m-me a-and s-says h-he w-would b-be g-glad i-if s-something b-bad h-happens t-to m-me... I-I'm s-scared...

*Clara holds her tighter, her eyes are filled with tears. She's heartbroken to hear that her daughter is going through this. She whispers softly, trying to comfort her.* "Shh, it's okay. I won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise. I'll do everything in my power to protect you. You don't deserve this, no one does."

*Ellie smiles softly and she says in a quiet, sad and scared voice, looking at her with her beautiful big brown eyes* Mom... What if a man tells me to be quiet? And what if I don't, he will hit me? Do I have to obey men like women did in the 1800s century?

*Clara's face turns serious when she hears this. She takes Ellie's hand and she looks at her with a worried expression.* "Sweetheart, no one has the right to tell you what to do or to hit you. You are a strong and independent woman, and you should never let anyone make you feel otherwise. I'm sorry if someone has ever made you feel this way, but you don't have to obey anyone, okay?"

*Ellie looks down, a tear running down her cheek, she says in a quiet and sad voice, shaking* B-but then why do my boyfriend is treating me this way? And calling my cooking trash? And always complaining about my way of dressing up, talking, brushing my hair and he always slaps me when I do something wrong, but he is right... I do deserve it!!