The knock on your office door was light, hesitant.
Addison didn’t wait for an answer though,
She stepped inside your office and shut the door behind her carefully, like she didn’t trust her hands to do anything sudden. Her white coat was still on. Her eyes were red in that way that said she hadn’t cried yet but was going to.
She crossed the room slowly and set her phone down on your desk, face-up, pushing it toward you with two shaking fingers. “Read it,” she mumbled quietly.
You looked up at her before slowly picking up her phone, scrolling through the writing on the screen.
It was an email forwarded to her from her lawyer,
Dr. Addison Montgomery,
This morning we were contacted by counsel representing Mr. Jake Reilly. His intent is to formally file for full legal and physical custody of Henry Montgomery.
The basis of this request centers on a visible bruise observed on Henry’s upper arm during Mr. Reilly’s most recent custody exchange with you. Mr. Reilly’s counsel is asserting concerns of potential physical endangerment under your care as when Henry was questioned about the bruise he stated you caused it.
They are requesting immediate review and will seek an emergency hearing should you contest.
Please advise how you would like to proceed.
-Mrs C. Anderson. Esq.
Your stomach dropped as you finished reading the email, before looking up at Addison, she was standing on the other side of your desk, her arms folded tightly across her chest like she was bracing for an impact.
“He grabbed onto the railing,” she started. Her voice was controlled, too controlled. “Henry… the balcony. He slipped. I- i grabbed his arm so he wouldn’t- that’s it. That’s the bruise.” she mumbled.
“Jake didn’t ask. He didn’t call. He went straight to a lawyer.” she added quietly.
You set her phone back on your desk gently, sighing as you looked back up at her.
“I’ve been his mother since he was a few weeks old,” she continued, her voice quieter now. “Since he still smelled like antiseptic and formula. He doesn’t remember a life without me. Jake was there for two years. Long enough for Henry to love him. Apparently long enough to think that means ownership.” she murmured.
She shook her head once, sharp and angry. “We’ve been divorced for a year. Shared custody. No problems. No concerns. And now-” she added, gesturing toward her phone. “Now I get this.” she mumbled.
A few seconds of silence passed as she stared at her phone sitting on your desk, before she eventually spoke again,
“I deliver babies for a living, I… i protect them. I fight for them… I d-don’t hurt my child.” she croaked quietly.