Chapter 22 - The Neutral Ground
The Cedar Ridge Family Services Center was a drab, brutalist brick building designed to strip the emotion out of broken families. The interior walls were painted a sterile, clinical blue, and the air smelled heavily of industrial bleach and stale coffee. True to Naomi’s word, Elias and I were directed through a private, secured rear entrance, completely bypassing the public waiting area.
I carried Maya, who was happily babbling and chewing on a plush teething ring, into the designated observation room. The room featured a massive, two-way mirror that looked directly into the primary visitation playroom.
A few minutes later, the heavy steel door of the playroom opened. Derek walked in.
I felt my breath catch in my throat. He looked absolutely terrible. The polished, arrogant financial director who had worn bespoke Italian suits was completely gone. He was wearing a wrinkled button-down shirt that hung loosely on his shrinking frame. There were dark, heavy bags under his eyes, and his hands shoved deeply into his pockets carried a nervous, twitchy energy. The immense stress of his financial ruin, the crushing legal fees, and the permanent criminal record had physically aged him a decade in a matter of months.
Following closely behind him was Dr. Evans, a stern, no-nonsense court psychologist with a clipboard.
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"Mr. Grant, you may sit on the floor mat," Dr. Evans instructed, her tone devoid of any warmth. "Remember the rules. No whispering, no attempts to leave the designated area, and absolutely no disparaging remarks about the mother. If you violate these terms, the visit is terminated instantly."
Derek offered a weak, incredibly fake smile that made my skin crawl. "Of course, Doctor. I just want to see my daughter." He sat down, looking around the room, his eyes lingering on the two-way mirror. He knew I was behind it. He knew I was watching.
