Chapter 10
Divorce papers were filed within a week.
Vanessa contested everything.
The house.
The accounts.
Custody.
Custody.
The word made my vision dark.
Karen said, “She can ask. That does not mean she gets.”
Vanessa’s attorney argued she had postpartum depression.
The court ordered evaluation.
I did not mock that.
Postpartum suffering is real.
But suffering did not cut wires.
Suffering did not release a stroller brake.
Suffering did not plan a scapegoat through messages.
Karen said, “Mental health may explain context. It does not erase danger.”
Good.
I needed sentences like that.
They kept me from drowning in confusion.
Noah stayed with me.
Temporary sole custody.
Supervised no-contact order against Vanessa.
Maria remained under protective witness status for the case.
Mr. Alvarez became my favorite neighbor forever.
His dog, Bruno, received treats daily.
“Technically,” Mr. Alvarez said, “Bruno alerted too.”
May you like
“Then Bruno is a hero.”
Bruno agreed loudly.
