Chapter 7 - THE TEMPORARY ORDER
Dean filed for emergency custody from his attorney’s office.
Even while under investigation.
His petition described Laura as emotionally unstable and financially reckless.
It claimed she had stolen Dean’s private phone and coached Ava to accuse him after an accidental fall.
It attached photographs.
Laura crying at a family barbecue.
Laura holding a wineglass at Christmas.
A messy kitchen.
A scratch on Ava’s knee.
Ordinary life converted into evidence.
North Gate Family Strategies had done its work.
Laura’s attorney, Melissa Chen, read the petition without expression.
Then she said.
“He built this before Ava broke her arm.”
“Yes.”
“That helps us.”
Laura laughed bitterly.
“It doesn’t feel helpful.”
“No.”
“But the timeline matters.”
At the emergency hearing, Dean appeared in a navy suit.
Calm.
Controlled.
Nothing like the man who had lunged toward the hospital bed.
Until Melissa played the security footage.
Dean shoving Dr. Patel.
Dean resisting Carla.
Dean shouting that Ava did not need a doctor.
Then the judge reviewed the prepaid phone evidence.
The custody petition draft.
The trust withdrawals.
The forensic interview summary.
Dean’s emergency request was denied.
Temporary sole physical custody remained with Laura.
Dean received no unsupervised contact pending further review.
Marilyn Mercer was prohibited from removing Ava from Laura’s care.
Outside the courthouse, Dean looked at Laura.
“You’re destroying her family.”
Laura stared back.
May you like
“No.”
“I’m discovering what it was.”
