Chapter 5: The Order With Dad’s Signature
Rachel removed a folded document from her handbag.
Dad held out his hand.
“Give it to me.”
“You wanted proof that I have authority.”
“You have no authority over Abigail.”
Rachel opened the document.
A raised seal shone at the bottom.
Claire read over Dad’s shoulder.
“Temporary emergency guardian?”
“Until the hearing,” Rachel said.
“Daniel signed supporting statements months ago.”
“I signed therapy forms.”
“You signed what was put in front of you.”
Dad’s jaw tightened.
“You changed the pages.”
“Can you prove that before nine tomorrow morning?”
The doorbell rang.
Rachel smiled again.
“That will be Ms.
Alvarez.”
A woman in a navy coat entered with an identification card in her hand.
Another woman waited behind her with a medical transport bag.
“I’m Elena Alvarez from Family Services,” she said.
“I need to speak with Daniel Mercer and Rachel Mercer.”
“I’m Daniel.
This order was obtained through deception.”
Ms.
Alvarez looked at me, then at my plate beside the trash can.
“Abigail, were you eating over there?”
Rachel answered first.
“She became overwhelmed and chose a quiet place.”
“I didn’t choose it,” I said.
Ms.
Alvarez turned to Rachel.
“Please let Abigail answer.”
Dad handed her Evan’s tablet.
“These papers show Rachel planned to place my daughter in Hawthorne House and control her trust.”
Rachel held up both hands.
“Those are incomplete photographs taken by a child.”
“They have my name on them,” I said.
Rachel crouched in front of me.
“Abigail, your father agreed because he knows Hawthorne can help you.”
“No, I didn’t,” Dad said.
She kept looking at me.
“He’s frightened now because everyone is watching.”
My throat tightened.
“Did Dad sign?”
Rachel tapped the court order.
“His signature is right there.”
Dad reached for me, but I backed away.
“You promised I wasn’t going.”
“I didn’t sign that.”
“It looks like your name.”
“Someone copied it.”
Rachel stood.
“Listen to him, Ms.
Alvarez.
He loses documents, misses appointments, and makes promises he can’t keep.”
Ms.
Alvarez faced Dad.
“Did you miss Abigail’s neurology appointment on May ninth?”
Dad’s shoulders dropped.
“Yes.
Rachel told me it had been moved.”
“And her equipment assessment?”
“She told me that was canceled.”
Rachel shook her head.
“There is always an excuse.”
For the first time, Dad looked unsure of what else she had changed.
Ms.
Alvarez spoke gently.
“Until the judge reviews this, Abigail needs to spend tonight at an approved respite center.”
“No,” Dad said.
“You can attend the hearing in the morning.”
“She’s terrified.”
“I know.
But I cannot ignore a sealed order.”
I gripped Dad’s sleeve.
“You said I wasn’t leaving.”
He crouched and held both my hands.
“Only for tonight.
I will be at that hearing before the doors open.”
Rachel picked up my small overnight bag from behind the hall table.
It was already packed.
Dad stared at it.
“You knew they were coming.”
“I prepared what she needs.”
“You prepared this whole night.”
Rachel handed the bag to the transport worker.
“Her medication list is inside.”
Ms.
Alvarez took it instead.
“I’ll verify everything myself.”
Dad hugged me.
His face pressed against my hair.
“I’m coming back,” I whispered.
“You’re coming home,” he said.
At the respite center, a gray-haired nurse named Mrs.
Bell checked the order.
Her finger stopped beside Rachel’s signature.
“Mrs.
Mercer,” she said, “when did you become Abigail’s stepmother?”
“Three years ago.”
Mrs.
Bell looked from Rachel to the document.
“That’s strange.”
“What is?” Ms.
Alvarez asked.
Mrs.
May you like
Bell turned the paper around.
“This application says Rachel Mercer has been Abigail’s legal mother since birth.”
