Chapter 4 - The Custody Attack
Grant filed for emergency custody the next morning.
The timing was not subtle.
He claimed I had suffered an emotional breakdown.
He cited the confrontation at the hotel.
He called my use of the satellite phone evidence of instability.
He even claimed I had endangered Ellie by bringing her into a public confrontation.
I read the petition and almost laughed.
He had thrown money at my feet in front of our daughter.
Then he used the humiliation he created as evidence against me.
His lawyer requested immediate temporary custody.
I refused to panic.
Panic was what Grant wanted.
Arthur hired the strongest family-law team in New York.
Within hours, they uncovered the first major mistake in Grant's case.
Every allegation against me had been prepared before the hotel incident.
That meant his claim of sudden concern for Ellie was false.
The evidence was undeniable.
The judge delayed the emergency decision.
Grant called me afterward.
I answered.
“What do you want?”
“I want to see my daughter.”
“You can ask through your attorney.”
“Mara, stop doing this.”
I almost smiled.
“You filed to take my daughter.”
“I was protecting her.”
“From what?”
“You.”
The word hung in the air.
I closed my eyes.
Then I said quietly,
“You really don't know when to stop lying.”
He went silent.
“You don't understand what you're playing with.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“No, you don't.”
His voice lowered.
“If you keep fighting me, people will get hurt.”
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“Was that a threat?”
“No.”
“Then say it again.”
Silence.
He hung up.
I immediately called security.
By sunset, three guards were stationed outside Ellie's school.
That evening, a black SUV was found parked across the street from the playground.
No driver.
No plates.
Inside was a camera pointed toward the school entrance.
Someone had been watching my daughter.
I stood in the security room staring at the footage.
Arthur came in.
“The SUV belongs to a private security company.”
“Who hired them?”
“We're checking.”
I looked at the screen.
Then I said,
“Move Ellie tonight.”
Arthur nodded.
“To where?”
I thought for one second.
May you like
“Somewhere even Grant doesn't know exists.”
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