Chapter 22 - The Counter-Strategy
Diane, our relentless, retired family law attorney, arrived at our house less than an hour later. She didn't bother with pleasantries. She marched into our dining room, dropped her heavy leather briefcase onto the table, and pulled out a yellow legal pad.
"Alright, let's dissect this piece of fiction," Diane said, adjusting her reading glasses as she reviewed Ryan's petition. "He’s painting a classic, textbook picture of parental alienation. He claims he has been desperately trying to see his daughter, but you have barricaded the doors."
"He hasn't called once," Emily said, her voice growing stronger. "He hasn't sent a single email asking about Lily's health. The only communication I’ve received was a text telling me I was going to regret leaving."
"Which we have fully documented," Diane noted, tapping her pen. "Ryan is pushing for full custody not because he actually wants to raise an infant alone, but because it’s the ultimate form of control. Furthermore, if he wins full physical custody, he avoids paying you a single dime of child support. It's about power, and it's about money."
"Patricia's signature is on here too, as a character witness," Mark pointed out, reading over Diane’s shoulder. "She submitted a sworn affidavit stating Emily was acting erratically and violently throwing things in their house before she left."
I let out a harsh, bitter laugh. "Violently throwing things? Emily was terrified to even breathe too loudly in that immaculate museum of a house."
"This is good," Diane smiled—a sharp, predatory expression that made me incredibly glad she was on our side. "When narcissists lie under oath in preliminary affidavits, they paint themselves into a corner. I have the medical records from the hospital documenting the bruising on your wrist, Emily. I have the sworn statement from the triage nurse who noted your extreme psychological distress when you arrived."
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Diane looked directly into Emily's eyes. "He expects you to fold. He expects you to be the timid, exhausted pregnant woman he bullied in his pantry. Are you ready to show him who you really are?"
Emily looked down at Lily, sleeping peacefully in my arms. When she looked back up, the fear was gone. "Tear him apart, Diane."
