Chapter 19 - The Custody Agreement
"What happens to Jason?" Sarah asked, her voice hardening.
"Jason was formally charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, aggravated assault, and two counts of reckless endangerment," Vance said, sliding a pen across the table toward Sarah. "He won't see daylight until he’s seventy. The judge signed the emergency protective order five minutes ago."
Sarah took the pen. Her signature on the court document was shaky, but she didn't hesitate.
"And Luke?" Sarah asked quietly.
"Luke goes to a federal penitentiary for fraud and conspiracy," Vance said, looking Sarah in the eyes. "No deals on that. He made his choice four years ago when he took that death payout."
Sarah nodded slowly, closing her eyes. It was the first time in three days I had seen her shoulders drop, the tension finally leaving her frame.
Vance turned her attention to me. She slid a second document across the table.
"This is from Family Court," Vance said. "Given the circumstances, the state has granted temporary full physical and legal custody of Emily to you, Mark. Pending a formal hearing next month."
I stared at the paper.
My name was printed under Primary Custodial Guardian.
For five years, I had fought through three different courtrooms, paid thousands of dollars in legal fees, and spent half my life working overtime on supermarket compressors just to prove I was capable of giving that little girl a stable roof.
"Sarah?" I asked, looking up at her.
Sarah looked down at Emily, who had rolled over on the rug, her small chest rising and falling in deep, peaceful sleep.
"Take her, Mark," Sarah said, her voice breaking slightly, but clear. "She needs someone who doesn't make excuses. Someone who shows up."
"We share her," I said firmly. "Once you get your feet back under you. She needs her mother too."
Sarah gave a faint, exhausted smile through her tears. "No broken promises?"
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"No broken promises," I said.
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