Chapter 11 - THE FIRST LIESophie’s preschool records became another thread.
Vanessa had been the primary contact while Daniel traveled.
Three months earlier she emailed the school:
Sophie has been experiencing some rough handling from Grandma due to Eleanor’s declining balance and judgment. Please let me know if you notice bruising.
Daniel read the message.
His hands went numb.
“She blamed Mom in advance.”
Rebecca nodded.
The school responded with concern.
No bruises documented then.
Another email:
Eleanor sometimes becomes frustrated by Sophie’s communication delays.
False.
Another:
We may need to limit unsupervised contact.
Daniel stared.
The narrative was obvious now.
If anyone discovered marks on Sophie, Vanessa had pre-existing documentation pointing toward Eleanor.
“What was she planning?”
Rebecca answered:
“Possibly custody leverage.”
“Against my mother?”
“Against everyone.”
Daniel looked at her.
Rebecca continued:
“If Vanessa later alleged that you knowingly left Sophie with an unsafe caregiver, she could argue poor judgment on your part.”
Daniel felt sick.
“She could use Mom to attack me.”
“Yes.”
“And the guardianship petition could remove Mom’s control over the trust.”
“Yes.”
Daniel leaned back.
“So she was building two cases at once.”
Rebecca nodded.
“One legal story: Eleanor is incompetent.”
“Second: I’m irresponsible.”
“Yes.”
“And Vanessa becomes the stable parent.”
“Yes.”
Daniel laughed once.
Bitter.
“All because Mom wouldn’t sign.”
“Maybe partly.”
Rebecca reminded him they still needed evidence of motive.
Then they found a draft email Vanessa never sent.
To a private estate attorney.
If Eleanor is deemed incapacitated, what authority would Daniel’s spouse have to manage trust distributions for Sophie?
Date:
Two weeks before Daniel returned.
May you like
The case was no longer random anger.
Vanessa had begun thinking beyond the marriage.
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