Chapter 9 - The Mother's Stand
While the tactical units mobilized, I remained at the pediatric hospital ward with Mia. She had finally fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep, Rosie tucked beneath her chin, the little taped-up doll keeping vigil over her dreams.
My family attorney, Sarah Jenkins, arrived at 2:00 AM with a stack of urgent legal documents.
“Emily, I’ve drafted an Emergency Ex Parte Restraining Order, an immediate Petition for Sole Legal and Physical Custody, and the initial Filing for Dissolution of Marriage,” Sarah said, handing me the pen.
I didn't hesitate for a single second. I signed every document with a steady hand.
“Jackson’s access to Mia is completely suspended pending the criminal investigation,” Sarah continued. “Given the surveillance devices found in your home and his signature on the fraudulent international consent forms, no judge in this state will grant him unsupervised contact.”
“I don't just want him away from Mia,” I said, looking Sarah straight in the eye. “I want him stripped of every legal right to make decisions for her. He had thousands of chances to protect his daughter from that woman, and he failed every single one.”
Just then, my phone chimed. It was a text message from Cassandra:
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‘The police just raided the motel. Mom wasn’t in the room. She spotted the squad cars from the ice machine and slipped out the back. She stole a laundry van. Emily, she’s heading back into the city. She thinks Mia is still at the house!’
A chill shot down my spine. Lorraine had escaped the raid. She was desperate, cornered, and convinced that her stolen granddaughter was waiting for her in our empty home.
