Chapter 8 - THE LIE IN FAMILY COURT
Daniel’s attorney called me irresponsible before I had even sat down.
He used careful words.
Unsafe childcare.
Unstable employment.
Questionable judgment.
He never said poor.
He did not need to.
Every sentence meant it.
My attorney, Jasmine Cole, was young and exhausted and far tougher than Daniel expected.
She played the security footage.
The judge watched Veronica carry Lily from the linen room.
Daniel’s attorney objected.
Jasmine did not even turn.
“Your client appears in the next camera.”
That shut him up.
The alley footage played.
Daniel handed Veronica the envelope.
The judge looked at him.
“What was in it?”
Daniel said, “Repayment of a personal loan.”
I almost stood.
Jasmine touched my arm.
Wait.
Then she called Sebastian.
The courtroom changed when he entered.
People knew him.
Daniel’s attorney certainly did.
Sebastian testified without drama.
He described finding Lily.
The attempted camera reset.
Veronica’s access.
The recordings.
He did not call me a good mother.
I appreciated that.
He told the truth.
Then Daniel’s attorney asked, “Mr. Calder, are you romantically involved with Ms. Delgado?”
My face burned.
Sebastian’s expression did not change.
“No.”
“Have you paid for her hotel?”
“Yes.”
“Provided security?”
“Yes.”
“Offered legal assistance?”
“Yes.”
“So you have a personal interest.”
“I have an interest in determining why a manager in my company moved an infant and tried to erase the footage.”
The attorney smiled.
“Is that a yes?”
“It is a more accurate answer.”
The judge almost smiled.
Then Lucia testified.
She was elegant.
Soft-spoken.
Devastating.
She said Daniel had made mistakes but wanted to be a father.
She said their family could provide Lily with stability.
A nursery.
Private childcare.
Medical insurance.
A college fund.
Then she looked at me.
“Maya loves her daughter.”
For one second, I was confused.
Then came the knife.
“But love does not make a dangerous situation safe.”
Jasmine stood.
“Mrs. Vega-Hale, when did you first learn Lily existed?”
Lucia paused.
“Several months ago.”
Jasmine held up a document.
“Then why did your private family office order a certified copy of Lily’s birth record eight days after she was born?”
Lucia’s face changed.
Barely.
Enough.
Jasmine continued.
“And why did you pay a private investigator to photograph Ms. Delgado beginning when Lily was six weeks old?”
Daniel looked at his mother.
That part surprised him.
Lucia answered calmly.
“I was concerned.”
“About a baby you just testified you did not know existed?”
Silence.
The judge leaned forward.
Then a bailiff entered and handed Jasmine a note.
She read it.
Looked at me.
Then at Daniel.
“Your Honor, we need a short recess.”
“Why?”
Jasmine swallowed.
“Because another woman has just arrived claiming Daniel Vega is the father of her child.”
May you like
Lucia’s face went completely white.
