Part 6
I stared at the financial documents in absolute horror.
Two million dollars.
My mother and my sister were willing to destroy my daughter's mind, traumatize her with the police, and brand me as an abusive monster...
...all for a payout.
"They're broke, aren't they?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
Rebecca nodded grimly.
"I ran a preliminary asset check. Your mother took out a second mortgage on her house six months ago. She's deep in credit card debt."
"And Kendra's husband filed for bankruptcy last month. Their dental office is failing."
"They didn't just want Charlotte, Mallerie. They needed her. Or rather, they needed her to be a victim so they could control her money."
The disgust I felt was a physical weight in my chest.
My own flesh and blood.
The woman who raised me.
The sister I grew up with.
They looked at my tragedy—the death of my husband—and they saw an opportunity.
They looked at my innocent five-year-old girl, and they saw a paycheck.
"They are never coming near her again," I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous, quiet register.
"Never," Rebecca agreed. "Now, we have a hearing at two. Go get some lunch, try to breathe, and meet me at the courthouse at one-forty-five."
"Do I need to bring Charlotte?"
"No. Keep her in school. She is safe there, and the school has strict security. I've already called the principal and informed them that your mother and sister are removed from the approved pickup list effective immediately."
I left Rebecca's office in a daze.
I couldn't eat. I just sat in my car, watching the clock tick down.
At one-thirty, I drove to the county courthouse.
It was a massive stone building with towering pillars. A place where lives were changed forever every single day.
Rebecca met me at the metal detectors. She looked like a general heading into battle.
We walked up to the third floor, Courtroom 302.
As we approached the heavy wooden doors, I froze.
Standing in the hallway, talking to a man in a cheap suit, were my mother and Kendra.
They hadn't seen us yet.
They were laughing.
Kendra was gesturing with her hands, looking completely relaxed.
My mother was smiling, nodding along to whatever her lawyer was saying.
They thought they were here for a routine check-in or perhaps they had filed their own emergency motion today, expecting to ambush me.
Then, Eleanor turned her head.
Our eyes locked across the crowded hallway.
Her smile instantly vanished, replaced by a mask of deep, sorrowful concern.
She nudged Kendra, who also turned to look.
Eleanor walked toward me, her arms opening wide as if she wanted to hug me.
"Oh, Mallerie, sweetheart," she crooned, her voice loud enough for others to hear. "I'm so glad you're here. We need to talk about this terrible situation. We just want to help you."
I stood my ground. I didn't step back.
When she got within three feet of me, I held up a single hand.
"Stop right there," I said. My voice was calm, but it had the sharpness of a razor blade.
Eleanor blinked, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Mallerie, don't be dramatic. We are your family. We are trying to save you from yourself."
Kendra stepped up beside her, looking smug. "You can't keep hiding from the truth, Mal. The police know what happened. CPS knows."
I looked at Kendra. Then I looked at my mother.
I didn't yell. I didn't make a scene.
I just smiled. It was the coldest smile I had ever given anyone.
"You're right, Kendra," I said softly. "The police do know exactly what happened."
"And Susan Harper from CPS? She knows too."
Before they could process the meaning behind my words, the courtroom doors opened.
May you like
The bailiff called out, "Case number 442-A, Vance and Miller. Everyone step inside."
Rebecca gripped my arm. "Let's go, Mallerie. It's time."
