leaving, Julian announced that he would hire one of the toughest custody attorneys in the city.
Over the following two weeks, he began giving the twins expensive presents during his court-approved weekend visits. New tablet computers, designer clothing, and an enormous electric ride-on toy car. He told Mateo that he could keep the car permanently at his house if he told the judge he wanted to stay with Daddy.
Following my attorney’s advice, I didn’t interfere with his visitation while the temporary court orders were still being considered.
I questioned that decision on the Sunday evening before our emergency court hearing.
Julian brought the children home at dusk. Mateo rushed inside and immediately wrapped both arms around my legs, pressing his face into my skirt. Sophia followed slowly behind him, quietly crying.
“What happened, sweetheart?” I asked, kneeling beside her.
Julian leaned against the doorway, glancing at
his watch. “She’s upset over nothing. Kids get emotional sometimes.” Then he turned and walked down the hallway without another explanation.
When I carefully unbuttoned Sophia’s cardigan so I could change her clothes, I stopped.
There was a noticeable dark mark on her upper arm that appeared consistent with someone having held her too firmly.
“Sophia… can you tell me what happened to your arm?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady.
Sophia looked down at the floor without answering.
Mateo spoke from the couch. “The lady at Daddy’s new house.”
My stomach tightened. “Victoria?”
Mateo didn’t know her name, but his description made it clear who he meant. Julian had stepped onto the balcony for several minutes to answer a business call. Sophia had tried to follow her father, and Victoria had taken hold of the four-year-old’s arm to bring her back inside.
“She said Sophia was
being too noisy,” Mateo whispered, holding his sister’s hand. “And she said if we’re going to live there, we have to learn to listen.”
Looking at the mark on my daughter’s small arm, I felt a sudden, focused determination settle over me.
