Ellie’s reaction was immediate and frightening. She curled into a ball, clutching her dolls to her chest, and began to tremble. Michael felt his blood run cold.
— Ellie, honey, did Mommy tell you something about not talking?
In a voice barely above a whisper, Ellie said:
— Mommy says if I talk, something bad will happen.
Michael’s world tilted.
— What bad thing, sweetheart? That… that you’ll leave? That you won’t love me anymore? That people will find out the secret?
— What secret, Ellie?
But Ellie retreated back into silence, clearly terrified she’d said too much. Michael hugged her gently.
— Ellie, listen to me. I will never leave you. I love you more than anything in the world, whether you talk or not. And there is no secret that can change that.
For the first time in days, Ellie looked him straight in the eye.
— Promise, Daddy?
— I promise, princess. You want to go see Hope now?
The transformation in Ellie was instant. Her eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly.
That day, when they arrived at the usual corner, Hope ran to the car with a big smile.
— Ellie, did you say anything else?
Ellie rolled the window all the way down and, to Michael’s amazement, said clearly:
— Hi, Hope. How are you?
Hope squealed with joy.
— You talk so pretty! You’re not scared anymore!
— A little bit scared, — Ellie admitted. — But I feel safe with you.
Michael watched the exchange with a mix of joy and growing dread. It was obvious Ellie could speak perfectly. What had Victoria done to keep her silent all these years?
— Hope, — Michael said. — Would you like to come see our house? Ellie has a lot of toys she’d like to show you.
Hope’s eyes went wide.
— Really? The big house?
Ellie laughed, a sound Michael hadn’t heard in years.
— Yes, but the best part is the backyard. There’s a pool and a swing set.
On the way to Great Falls, Hope didn’t stop asking questions.
— Do you really have a pool? How many rooms are there?
— We have a garden, too, — Ellie answered with infectious joy. It seemed Hope’s presence had freed not just her voice, but her entire personality that had been suppressed for years.
When they arrived at the estate, Hope was speechless. The manicured gardens, the fountain at the entrance, the marble columns—it was like a fairytale to a girl who lived in a small apartment in a rough part of town.
— Ellie, you live in a palace! — Hope exclaimed.
— Come on, I’ll show you my room, — Ellie said, taking her hand.
Michael followed them, watching Ellie completely transform in Hope’s presence. She was talking, laughing, running—everything she should have been doing for years. In Ellie’s room, Hope marveled at the collection of dolls, books, and toys filling the shelves.
— You have more toys than the store at the mall. Want to play? — Ellie asked.
— We can play whatever you want.
While the girls played, Michael went to his study and called Dr. Miller, Ellie’s neurologist.
— Doctor, I need to ask you a direct question. Is it possible that someone was giving Ellie something to keep her from talking?
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