Chapter 11 - VESPERA’S DEFENSE AFTER THE ORDER
Vespera appealed part of the protective order.
Not the no-contact with me.
The restrictions involving the unborn baby after birth.
Her lawyer argued:
Vespera had no independent custodial right, but the order’s wording could prevent future grandmother contact even if I later consented.
The court clarified:
I could voluntarily request modification later.
No issue.
Then Vespera complied.
No calls.
No surprise visits.
No flowers.
Nothing.
That almost made me more anxious.
Silence after months of intrusion felt unnatural.
Then she sent one permitted legal communication:
I understand the order.
No apology.
Fine.
Then the criminal case.
Prosecutor charged misdemeanor battery with an enhancement or factor due pregnancy? We don't need specify exact statute.
Video.
Medical records.
Her admission from protective hearing may have use limits depending rules.
The footage alone strong.
Vespera wanted diversion.
Prosecutor insisted on plea due deliberate act and risk.
Negotiation.
No final yet.
Then Oswin’s diversion class.
He came home after the third session and said:
“I used Mom as a reason.”
“For what?”
“For hitting.”
He sat.
“I said she tipped you and said the baby belonged to Calista.”
“That happened.”
“Then the counselor asked whether she was still attacking you when I slapped.”
I waited.
“She wasn’t.”
Good.
Then:
“I hated answering that.”
“Good.”
He smiled weakly.
Then:
“I think I spent my childhood believing hitting only counts as wrong if the person didn’t deserve it.”
That was revealing.
Vespera had spanked them.
Slapped Calista once as teenager.
Thrown a hairbrush.
Nothing enough they had labeled abuse then.
Everything framed:
You pushed me.
You made me.
You needed to learn.
Same as:
Beggars learn faster when it hurts? Wrong story. Different family, no. Keep current.
Vespera’s version:
You don’t listen until consequences hurt.
A family pattern.
Then Oswin said:
“I don’t want our daughter learning that.”
Neither did I.
Then my own behavior.
I had not hit.
But I had spent weeks imagining courtroom destruction.
I said:
“I don’t want her learning anger has to become a verdict either.”
Good.
Then Calista.
She began individual counseling.
Not court ordered.
She wrote one statement through counsel:
I will not request contact with the baby unless Arianell and Oswin initiate after birth.
Good.
Then another:
I have closed the private adoption consultation and asked Lydia Vale to retain records only as legally required.
Good.
Then she donated? No grand gesture. Avoid.
She dismantled the crib?
Maybe not necessary. She was still pursuing adoption independently someday.
That room could remain.
Her desire to be a mother was not wrongdoing.
Then I realized I had been equating the crib with threat.
But if Calista later adopted another child through a proper process, the crib was fine.
The problem was not nursery furniture.
The problem was consent.
That distinction helped me hate her less.
May you like
Not forgive.
Less hate.
