Chapter 23 - THE HEARING BEGINS WITH THE MEDICINE
The protective-order hearing came first.
Claire testified.
Her attorney began with medicine.
"What was prescribed?"
"Nifedipine for postpartum hypertension. Iron for anemia."
"Who prescribed the nifedipine?"
"My obstetrician."
"Did Vivian have medical authority over you?"
"No."
"Did Graham?"
Claire paused.
"No. He is my husband, not my doctor."
Good.
"Did you ask Vivian to destroy it?"
"No."
"Did she?"
"Yes."
Then the baby.
"Did you ask for Noah back?"
"Repeatedly."
"Did she return him?"
"No."
"Why did you kneel?"
"I became dizzy and my knees gave. Then I stayed down because she was holding him above me."
"Did Vivian tell you to beg?"
"Yes."
"Did you?"
Claire looked down.
"I said please."
That hurt.
Not because begging was weakness.
Because my wife had been made to believe politeness might recover her child faster than anger.
Then defense.
"Mrs. Harcourt, did Vivian help after the birth?"
"Yes."
"Cook?"
"Yes."
"Arrange nurses?"
"Yes."
"Hold Noah so you could sleep?"
"Yes."
"Did you initially agree to live at the estate?"
"Yes."
"Did you know the family had postpartum traditions?"
"Some."
"So this was not a stranger suddenly taking over."
"No."
Good.
Complexity admitted.
Then:
"Did Vivian ever lock you inside the estate?"
"No."
"Physically stop you leaving?"
"No."
"Take Noah out of the house?"
"No."
"Call herself his legal guardian?"
"No."
"Then why do you say she was controlling you?"
Claire looked at the attorney.
"Because control does not require locked doors."
May you like
Silence.
That sentence entered the record.
