Chapter 14
Margaret didn’t waste any time.
Three days after I met with Elena, David’s lawyer sent a letter. It was aggressive and full of accusations.
According to the letter, I was an unfit mother who had “orchestrated a scene” at the wedding to humiliate David and Margaret. They claimed I had been emotionally unstable for years and that Mia would be better off with David. They even suggested that I had been “coaching” Mia to lie about what happened.
I sat in Rachel’s living room, reading the letter with shaking hands.
Elena had warned me this would happen, but it still hurt.
They were painting me as the villain.
Margaret had clearly gotten to David’s lawyer — or maybe she had written the letter herself. The language sounded exactly like her.
Rachel read over my shoulder and cursed under her breath.
“They’re really going for the throat,” she muttered.
I put the letter down and rubbed my temples.
“What do I do?” I asked.
“You let Elena handle it,” Rachel said firmly. “That’s why you hired her. Don’t respond directly. Don’t engage with David or Margaret. Everything goes through your lawyer.”
I nodded, but I still felt sick.
Later that evening, Mia asked me why we were still staying at Aunt Rachel’s house.
I sat her down on the couch and tried to explain in a way she could understand.
“Sometimes when adults have big problems, they need some time apart to figure things out,” I said carefully. “Daddy and I are having some problems right now, so we’re staying here for a little while.”
Mia was quiet for a moment.
“Is it because Grandma pushed me and Daddy hit you?” she asked.
I was surprised by how direct she was.
“Yes,” I said honestly. “That’s part of it.”
Mia looked down at her hands.
“I don’t want to see Grandma anymore,” she said quietly. “She’s mean. And she makes Daddy mean too.”
I pulled her into my arms and held her tightly.
“You don’t have to see her if you don’t want to,” I said. “And no matter what happens, I will always protect you. Okay?”
Mia nodded against my chest.
“Okay, Mama.”
I closed my eyes and held her closer.
May you like
Margaret could attack me all she wanted.
But I would never let her hurt my daughter again.
