Chapter 10 - The Red Circle

I stared at the date until the numbers lost their meaning.

My baby's due date was supposed to mark the beginning of our new life.

To see it circled in Richard's file made me feel as though they had claimed ownership over even that.

Detective Mara Chen explained that the folder alone did not prove an intent to harm me.

It did suggest someone had been planning around my pregnancy without my knowledge.

Copies of insurance applications, bank transfers, and a drafted power of attorney were found together.

The purported power of attorney carried a signature resembling mine.

I had never signed it.

Hannah arranged for a document examiner to review the available originals and for the insurer to preserve records.

The criminal investigators would make their own determinations.

Alex wanted to march straight to Trent's house and demand answers.

I told him not to.

“I need you with me,” I said.

“Not in a cell because he baited you.” He pressed his palms together until his knuckles whitened.

Then he agreed.

At the temporary apartment, I made tea and tried to imagine raising my daughter somewhere sunlight could reach every room.

I hadn't decided what to name her.

Trent insisted on naming her after Helen.

For the first time, I wrote other possibilities on a notepad.

Nora.

Grace.

Lily.

The list felt like a small declaration of independence.

Around midnight, Hannah called about a development in family court.

Trent had withdrawn his request for medical control, but his attorney now sought access to my prenatal information through broad discovery.

Hannah planned to contest requests that were irrelevant or invasive.

“Why does he care so much?” I asked.

She paused.

“I can't know his motive yet.” The next morning, Nicole posted a photo of the nursery with the caption, “Some people don't deserve the family they throw away.” Her comments filled with strangers judging a woman they had never met.

Then one comment appeared that changed everything.

A user named ClaireD wrote, “You filmed her being hurt and laughed.

I have the video.” Nicole deleted the entire post within six minutes.

But screenshots were already circulating.

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