Chapter 15 - ETHAN MEETS ROSE
Ethan requested to meet her.
Family court had not yet decided long-term parenting because Rose was born during our separation.
His assault conviction mattered.
So did the fact that he was her biological father and had no history of harming a child directly.
The court ordered professional assessment before contact.
At six weeks, supervised visitation began.
I did not attend.
I wanted to.
To monitor.
To control.
My therapist asked:
“Do you trust the supervisor?”
“Yes.”
“Then why be there?”
Because fear wanted me in every room.
I stayed home.
The report said:
Ethan cried.
Held Rose carefully.
Asked how much she ate.
Asked whether she had reflux.
No trust discussion.
No questions about me beyond permitted health logistics.
Good.
At three months, he wrote me through the parenting app:
She has your eyes.
I did not respond emotionally.
Only:
Next pediatric appointment is Tuesday, 10 a.m. Records will be uploaded afterward.
May you like
Boundaries can sound cold.
They keep systems clean.
