Chapter 9 - THE CUSTODY FILE
Police found the custody file in Marcus's office.
It was already prepared.
Grace Bennett: unstable employment.
Grace Bennett: inadequate housing.
Grace Bennett: history of anxiety.
Most of it was distorted.
Some was completely fabricated.
There were staged photographs of an empty refrigerator taken while Grace was between grocery trips.
A medical note had been altered to make a routine panic attack look like psychiatric hospitalization.
Nathan read each page with growing disgust.
"They built a case against her for years."
Detective Ortiz nodded. "And someone accessed sealed health records."
The access log pointed to a private medical contractor owned by one of Marcus's shell companies.
Grace sat on the floor beside Lily's bed that night.
Nathan remained in the doorway.
"Can I come in?"
She nodded.
He sat against the opposite wall.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Grace said, "I hated you."
"You had reasons."
"I told Lily her father was gone because I thought saying you didn't want her would hurt more."
Nathan looked down.
"I missed four birthdays."
"You didn't know."
"I still missed them."
Lily stirred under the blanket.
"Can I ask you something?" Grace whispered.
"Anything."
"If the DNA is real, what happens next?"
Nathan answered without hesitation.
"Whatever makes her feel safe. Not whatever makes me feel entitled."
Grace's eyes filled.
Then the security alarm sounded.
Not at the gate.
Inside the guest wing.
Nathan stood.
May you like
The hallway camera went black.
And Lily's bedroom window shattered.
