Chapter 9 - MARGARET'S FIRST COUNTERATTACK
Margaret hired an attorney.
Then claimed I had deliberately exaggerated Noah’s symptoms to alienate him from the Hawthorne family.
She requested grandparent visitation.
Her filing described our bond as “deep and essential.”
Rebecca read the petition once.
Then smiled.
“What?”
I asked.
“She attached photographs.”
“So?”
“Look.”
Photographs of Margaret holding Noah.
Birthday.
Christmas.
The beach.
Then one from Easter.
Noah wore a medical allergy bracelet.
Margaret’s hand was holding his.
The words.
SEVERE PEANUT ALLERGY.
Clearly visible.
Rebecca looked at me.
“She just submitted evidence against herself.”
Margaret’s own petition helped prove she had known.
Her request for emergency visitation was denied pending safety evaluation.
Daniel blamed me.
Then, for the first time, Tessa blamed him.
“You watched your child stop breathing.”
She said.
“And you are still worried about Mom’s feelings.”
Daniel walked out.
May you like
Maybe because he was angry.
Maybe because the truth had finally become louder than Margaret.
