Chapter 6 - A Daughter On Trial
By morning, Grace’s face was everywhere.
Television anchors described her as a disturbed former girlfriend.
Online commentators called her a stalker.
One network aired the fabricated airport photograph.
Another claimed Grace had purchased one-way tickets to Argentina.
Nathan watched from Lily’s hospital room while anger built quietly inside him.
Grace sat beside the child’s bed.
Her shoulder had been fractured.
Doctors placed her arm in a sling.
Lily refused to sleep unless Grace remained within touching distance.
Nathan stayed near the window.
He still did not know how to behave around the little girl who might be his daughter.
Every time Lily looked at him, something in his chest tightened.
Finally she whispered.
“Mommy said you were good.”
Nathan turned.
Grace closed her eyes.
Lily held a stuffed rabbit.
“She said you didn’t know.”
Nathan approached slowly.
“Your mommy was right.”
Lily studied him.
“Victoria says you don’t want me.”
Nathan’s expression changed.
“When did she tell you that?”
Lily looked frightened.
Grace squeezed her hand.
“It’s okay.”
The child spoke softly.
“When Mommy was upstairs.”
Nathan crouched beside the bed.
“What else did Victoria say?”
Lily hesitated.
“She said if I told you who I was, Mommy would go away forever.”
Nathan stood so quickly the chair behind him scraped across the floor.
Grace caught his wrist.
“Don’t go after her.”
Nathan looked down.
“She threatened my child.”
“And she wants you angry.”
Grace’s voice remained steady.
“People like Victoria become dangerous when they can control your reaction.”
Nathan forced himself to remain.
Marcus entered carrying a small evidence kit.
“I arranged an independent paternity test.”
Nathan nodded.
“Do it.”
A physician took samples from Nathan and Lily.
Marcus personally sealed them.
“We’re sending duplicates to three unrelated laboratories.”
Grace frowned.
“Three?”
“I don’t trust anyone.”
Marcus’s phone rang.
He answered.
His face slowly tightened.
“What?”
Nathan watched him.
Marcus ended the call.
“The court has issued an emergency protective order.”
Grace stood.
“For Lily?”
Marcus nodded.
“But not for you.”
Grace froze.
“The order temporarily places Lily in state custody pending investigation.”
Nathan’s voice became dangerous.
“On whose request?”
Marcus looked at him.
“The petition was filed by a family-interest attorney representing Victoria Vale.”
Nathan almost exploded.
“She has no legal relationship to Lily.”
“She claims Lily is being exploited in a fraudulent paternity scheme intended to manipulate your inheritance.”
Two child-welfare officers appeared outside the room.
Lily saw them.
She immediately started crying.
“No.”
Grace pulled her close.
Nathan stepped into the doorway.
“You are not taking her.”
Marcus touched his shoulder.
“Nathan.”
Nathan did not move.
The entire corridor went silent.
Then Lily climbed from the bed and wrapped both arms around Nathan’s leg.
It was the first time she had touched him willingly.
“Daddy.”
May you like
Her tiny voice shook.
“Please don’t let them take me.”
