Christine raged against Madame Giry with all her might.
"When did you become so hurtful and cruel? I always thought of you as a second mother. You could have helped me back then. You knew the truth and yet you didn't do a thing to help ease my fears or my uncertainty. Instead, you kept the one thing I ever wanted to know about a mystery. You poisoned my mind against this man with your silence. You betrayed this man by telling his arch rival where he lived and knowing full well you were putting both men in danger. Worst of all you made Erik feel as if he was nothing for probably longer than I ever want to think about."
"Child, you know not what you say! I was there through it all. Where were you?"
"You're right! I wasn't there. I never knew any of it. But I can tell you this, as sure as I know my father was Gustave Daae, Erik is a survivor. He would have found a way out on his own. He has always relied on his wits. It was you who needed him. You needed him to give you a sense of purpose again and control. I always believed people could change…."
Christine then pointy looked at the woman who was now a stranger before her. "Mostly, you think about people changing from bad to good, but you are proof that they can also change from good to bad. When I look at you I see the change that has taken place and I feel sorry for you. I also know that I gave you my mind blindly. Never again."
Erik couldn't believe Christine's uproar. He felt proud, amazed, honored and even though the feeling was new to him, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he felt loved. He placed his hands on Christine's shoulders to comfort her. "Don't upset yourself, Christine. She isn't worth it." He then stood between the two women. "Antoinette, you're fired. I want you gone by nightfall."
"Fired? You dismiss me like that, after all these years?"
"No." He sighed. "You did this to yourself. I am merely making it a formality."
"And what of all your empty promises?"
"After what I had to pay today to keep the park running and its reputation intact, I owe you nothing. "
"What will become of Meg? When she comes back…."
"If and when Meg returns, she will always have a place here. I don't blame her for your sins. Children don't have to be like their parents." He gave a glance towards Christine.
"After all this time, you throw me away like this?"
"You said it yourself, Antoinette. I have no heart. A monster can only be expected to behave as such."
"You will curse this day, Erik. You and all you hold dear. That is not one of your empty promise, I assure you."
When she slammed the door shut, Christine threw her arms around Erik.
"Are you alright?"
He remained silent. Instead he used his energy to hold her close and began rocking her to help bring comfort to them both.
After a few minutes, Dr. Gangle knocked at the door. "Sir, Madame Giry left the park. She said she would return for her things. Is there something you wish for me to do?"
"Tell Mr. Walker what happened and have him be on the lookout. Go to her room and carefully pack up her things. When she does return, I want her visit brief and monitored."
"Yes, Sir."
Once Dr. Gangle left, Erik kissed Christine's hand and looked at her pointedly.
"Erik, what is it?"
"What do you think about going on that picnic you originally had planned for us today? I know it's late but I'm sure you're starving and perhaps you and Gustave would like the beach at this time of night."
Her smile was all the answer he needed.
