Chapter 18 - The Spare Daughter
Jessica stared at her own file in silence.
It had been created six years earlier.
Diagnosis templates.
Medication notes.
A draft petition giving Margaret authority over Jessica's finances if she became "unstable."
Jessica looked physically sick.
"I'm her daughter."
Anna answered softly, "Control doesn't become love just because it comes from a mother."
Jessica read the date.
Six years ago she had threatened to leave Margaret's real estate business after discovering missing money.
Three days later, Margaret convinced her she was exhausted and needed a "rest retreat."
Jessica had refused.
Now she knew what the retreat had been intended to become.
She started crying.
"I spent my whole life trying to be the daughter she wouldn't turn against."
Ryan hugged her.
"You don't have to earn safety anymore."
The criminal case widened.
Prosecutors charged Harlan with falsifying medical records and conspiracy-related offenses. Margaret faced charges tied to the assault on me, forged documents, attempted unlawful control of the baby, and her role in Anna's confinement.
Thomas agreed to cooperate.
That did not erase his responsibility.
He resigned from Carter Industries and placed his remaining voting shares into an independent trust until civil claims were resolved.
At the preliminary hearing, Margaret entered the courtroom in a gray suit.
She looked at Ryan first.
Then Jessica.
Then Anna.
Finally me.
Her eyes stopped on Sophie sleeping against my chest.
For a second I saw something like grief.
Then it hardened into resentment.
As deputies led her away, she leaned close enough to Ryan to whisper:
"You think Anna came back because she loves you? Ask her who paid for Greenwood."
Ryan turned toward Anna.
Anna's face changed.
May you like
Margaret smiled.
Even in handcuffs, she had found one more match to strike.
