Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO WANTED MY PLACE
Brad disappeared after the hearing.
At least, that was what everyone thought.
But people like Brad did not disappear.
They waited.
They planned.
They searched for another way to win.
Three days later, I received a call from my attorney.
"Daniel."
"We found something."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
"Brad has been telling people you are dangerous."
I laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was unbelievable.
"The man who left my daughter outside is calling me dangerous?"
My attorney sighed.
"He is trying to create a different story."
I knew exactly what he was doing.
If he could make people doubt me, he could make himself look better.
That night, I sat with Lily.
She was coloring at the table.
A picture of a house.
A dog.
And two people.
Me and her.
"Can I ask you something?"
She looked up.
"Yes, Daddy."
"Why didn't you tell someone what happened?"
Her eyes became sad.
"Because Mommy said people would be mad."
I froze.
"People would be mad at you?"
She nodded.
"She said families have secrets."
I looked at my daughter.
"No secret is more important than keeping you safe."
She looked at me.
"Even bad secrets?"
"Especially bad secrets."
That night, Lily finally slept through the night.
For the first time since I returned.
No nightmares.
No crying.
Just sleep.
But peace did not last.
The next morning, I received a message.
A picture was attached.
It was Lily.
Taken from outside the house.
Someone had been watching us.
The message said:
"You think you won?"
"You have no idea who you're fighting."
My hands tightened around the phone.
Because this was no longer only about custody.
May you like
Brad was angry.
And angry people made mistakes.
