Chapter 15 - The Lowest Point

The placement decision was delayed.

A supervisor reviewing the allegations against me wanted clarification about a call Kate claimed I made before taking Paige to the hospital.

There was no such call on my phone record.

But Ryan's attorney introduced a screenshot that appeared to show my name and a threatening message.

I felt as though the room had narrowed around me.

Rebecca examined the image and asked for its underlying data.

A screenshot could be edited, cropped, or displayed from a contact stored under any name.

It was not a substitute for authentication.

Still, the accusation was enough to stall my assessment until it could be checked.

That evening, I returned to the empty nursery and sat on the floor.

I was exhausted by the constant need to prove ordinary things.

That I hadn't called.

That I hadn't touched Paige's leg except to discover the injury.

That I hadn't invented the concealer or the bruise.

My mother left a voicemail telling me I could end the conflict if I apologized.

I deleted nothing.

I saved it with the others.

Tessa brought food and sat beside me without asking for details.

"Maybe they won't place her with me," I said.

"Maybe not," Tessa answered gently.

"But the people caring for her are still keeping her safe."

I knew that.

It didn't stop the grief.

Late that night, Rebecca sent an update.

The supposed threatening message was not found in the corresponding phone records.

More importantly, its timestamp was after Paige had been admitted to the hospital.

Even if genuine, it could not prove I caused an injury the doctors had already documented.

I breathed for the first time in hours.

Then another message came from Rebecca.

The defense says they have a witness who saw you hurt Paige Thursday.

I stared at the screen.

Thursday was the day Paige had fallen asleep peacefully in her stroller.

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