Chapter 3 - The Cracks in the Mirror
News of the mandatory medical report hit the Vance family like a shockwave within forty-eight hours.
Kendra’s initial arrogance evaporated when two sheriff’s deputies arrived at her home to take a formal statement regarding an ongoing investigation into injury to a minor. Panicked, she immediately rallied her side of the family, launching a barrage of phone calls, group texts, and frantic visits to Alice’s apartment.
"You have to make Walter drop this!" Kendra shrieked over the phone while Alice sat in her living room, staring at the empty space where Maddie’s toys usually sat. "It was a mistake! A joke! I was trying to help the girl stop acting spoiled! Now I have police officers at my door and people at work asking questions!"
"It wasn't a joke, Kendra," Alice said, her voice trembling but surprisingly firm. "She couldn't walk. You pulled her brace off and she collapsed."
"You were right there!" Kendra barked. "You didn't stop me! If I go down for this, everyone in the family will know you just stood there like a coward!"
The words struck Alice like a physical blow. She hung up the phone and buried her face in her hands.
Meanwhile, Walter was meeting with a family law and personal injury attorney, Arthur Vance (no relation to Alice's family). Sitting in Arthur’s office, Walter laid out the medical records, Dr. Holloway’s affidavit, and the incident report.
"This isn't just about a medical bill, Mr. Cole," Arthur said, examining the files. "This is a pattern of severe emotional and physical endangerment. You have a rock-solid case for a full custody modification, a restraining order against Kendra, and a substantial civil lawsuit to cover every cent of Maddie’s extended medical costs."
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"I don't care about the money," Walter said, his voice deadly steady. "I care about making sure my daughter never feels unsafe or mocked by those people ever again."
"Then we strike now," Arthur replied. "Before they try to rewrite history."
