She had been a teenager when Gwen entered the picture, and the timing hadn’t helped. Elizabeth believed Gwen was the reason her parents split, despite Albert’s own honesty. Gwen had tried to be patient, generous, open. But nothing seemed to reach her. Resentment lingered like a wall between them.
Over time, Gwen noticed how easily Elizabeth could twist things in her favor. She was careful with her tone, manipulative with her words—especially with Albert. Gwen had watched her ask for things gently, then firmly, then insistently. Albert always caved. Gwen eventually stopped interfering and pulled back instead.