Chapter 10 - The Temporary Mother
The emergency hearing took place the next morning in a courtroom that smelled of old carpet and paper. Madison sat beside Nora with a surgical binder around her waist and a folder containing every message Ethan had ever sent.Ethan arrived with Patricia’s attorney.Patricia herself was in custody and had declined to speak with him.“He looks calm,” Nora whispered.“He always looks calm.”“That doesn’t mean he is.”The judge entered. Ethan’s attorney presented the case as a tragedy of mental deterioration.“Mr. Mercer is asking for temporary custody until the mother receives evaluation,” he said. “The child has experienced repeated oxygen events while in her care.”Madison gripped the table. “Rowan’s events happened in the neonatal unit.”Nora put a hand on her arm. “Wait.”The attorney displayed photographs of Madison’s bedroom. The broken window was visible in one. A prescription bottle sat on the nightstand in another.“The petitioner reports that Mrs. Vale has become convinced her home is surveilling her,” he said. “She has accused family members and medical professionals of conspiring against her.”“Did he include the camera?” Madison whispered.“Not yet.”Dr. Hart was called to testify by video. Ethan’s attorney asked whether Madison had seemed paranoid.“She reported concerns about surveillance,” Hart said.“Was she sleeping?”“She reported difficulty.”“Was she emotionally stable?”“Her condition was concerning.”Madison’s nails dug into her palm.Nora rose for cross-examination. “Doctor, did you tell Mr. Mercer before the hearing that Madison was alert and medically stable at her prenatal appointment?”Hart looked toward the camera. “Yes.”“Did you document that?”“I later amended the note.”“After Mr. Mercer contacted you?”“Yes.”“Did he offer you money?”The courtroom shifted.Hart swallowed. “He offered a research donation.”“How much?”“Twenty-five thousand dollars.”Ethan stood. “That donation was unrelated.”“Sit down,” the judge ordered.Nora continued. “Doctor, did you personally observe Madison disconnect a fetal monitor, damage a lock, threaten anyone, or endanger her child?”“No.”“Then your opinion about her stability was based on what?”Hart’s face collapsed inward. “Mr. Mercer’s statements.”The judge denied immediate custody but ordered a psychiatric evaluation for Madison and supervised visitation for Ethan.Outside the courtroom, Ethan cornered her near the elevators.“You’re destroying our family,” he said.“You did that.”“You think Nora can save you?”“She already saved me from signing your prenup.”His eyes narrowed. “You read it.”“I read the copy you gave me.”“You don’t understand the trust.”“I understand that Rowan’s birth activated a clause giving her an inheritance.”“That money belongs to my family.”“It belongs to my daughter.”“You’re using her as a weapon.”Madison stepped closer. “You injected me.”For one instant, his mask slipped.“You have no proof.”“The bedroom footage.”“Edited.”“Owen’s records.”“A dead man’s paranoia.”“Patricia’s confession.”He looked toward the courthouse doors. “My mother will say anything to save herself.”“She says you planned to kill the baby.”His face went white.“You told her,” Madison said.“She lies.”“You were there when I bled.”“I was at the party.”“You were in the bedroom at 6:32.”“You were asleep. You don’t know what you saw.”“The camera does.”Ethan leaned close. “You should be careful what you make the camera say.”He walked away.Nora watched him go. “Did he just threaten you?”“Yes.”“Good.”Madison turned. “Good?”“Because he said it in front of the courthouse cameras.”The detective met them outside. Reyes carried a sealed evidence bag.“The forensic team recovered fragments from the home hub,” she said. “The public activity log was altered remotely at 7:23 that morning.”“By Ethan?”“The login came from a Nestor server.”“The facility?”“Possibly.”Madison looked at the courthouse camera above the entrance. “He said I should be careful what I make the camera say.”Reyes’s phone rang. She listened, then her expression hardened.“What is it?” Madison asked.“The hospital has just reported that Ethan requested Rowan’s discharge records.”“He can’t take her.”“He didn’t ask for records.”Reyes ended the call.“He requested a transfer.”
