Chapter 14 - THE BETRAYAL IN COURT
Joanna arrived at family court wearing navy blue.
Conservative.
Soft.
Respectable.
Her attorney described her as a devoted aunt who had helped raise Maisie since birth.
That part was true.
Photos proved it.
Joanna holding newborn Maisie.
Joanna at birthday parties.
Joanna at school plays.
Joanna beside Amelia at Daniel’s funeral.
The pictures hurt because none were fake.
That was the hardest truth.
Joanna had loved Maisie in some way.
She had also harmed her.
People could be both.
Joanna’s attorney argued that Amelia’s sudden cutoff was emotionally destabilizing for the child.
Then he called a witness Amelia did not expect.
Her own former nanny.
Carla.
Amelia stared as Carla walked into court.
Carla had worked for the family for four years.
She had left eighteen months earlier after saying she wanted to care for her aging father.
Now she testified that Joanna had often provided “consistency” when Amelia worked late.
She described Maisie as deeply attached to her aunt.
Then Joanna’s attorney asked the question.
“Did Ms. Mercer ever express concerns about her own ability to parent after her husband’s death?”
Carla hesitated.
“Yes.”
Amelia felt something break inside her.
She remembered those conversations.
Private conversations.
Exhausted conversations.
Nights when a toddler had a fever and Amelia had slept two hours.
Normal doubts from a tired mother.
Now Joanna was using them as evidence.
Rachel stood immediately.
The judge allowed limited questioning but made it clear the case was not about Amelia’s fitness as a parent.
Then Rachel called Mrs. Rowe.
The principal described Joanna arriving without authorization.
The counselor described Maisie’s fear.
Then the senior police officer from the original incident testified.
“What did Ms. Joanna Mercer say regarding discipline?”
The officer looked at Joanna.
“She stated that children need fear sometimes.”
The courtroom became completely still.
Joanna’s attorney tried to soften it.
The officer did not change his answer.
Then Rachel produced school counselor notes documenting Maisie’s exact statement.
Aunt Joanna said the police could take Mommy too.
Joanna looked down.
The judge denied visitation.
Immediately.
But outside the courtroom, Carla approached Amelia.
“I’m sorry.”
Amelia kept walking.
Carla followed.
“She paid me.”
Amelia stopped.
“What?”
Carla began crying.
“Five thousand dollars.”
“For your testimony?”
“For documents.”
Amelia’s blood turned cold.
“What documents?”
Carla looked toward Joanna.
“Copies from Daniel’s office.”
Joanna was already moving toward the elevator.
Rachel grabbed Amelia’s arm.
“Stay here.”
Carla whispered.
“She asked me to take a small black flash drive before I quit.”
Amelia stared at her.
“What was on it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Where is it now?”
May you like
Carla swallowed.
“I made a copy first.”
