Chapter 10 - The Petition

The petition described Dad as disoriented, aggressive, and unable to manage personal finances. It claimed I had abandoned him for work and that Simone had served as his sole reliable caregiver. Attached were statements from Judith, Nolan, and Carina.

There was also a photograph of Dad crouched beneath the dining table.

My mouth went dry. Simone had staged his humiliation, then photographed it as evidence that he couldn't feed himself.

"She made me get down there," Dad said, staring at the picture. "She told me if I didn't, I'd never see Mara again."

Leah reviewed the petition that afternoon. "We will oppose it, submit the medical documentation, and ask the court for an independent assessment. A petition isn't an order. Simone doesn't get control simply because she filed one."

"But the photograph—"

"A photograph without context isn't the whole truth. The officers, Rosa, and the witnesses all matter."

When Mara returned from the tournament, I explained that Dad had been mistreated. I kept the humiliating dinner photo away from her.

"Mom said Grandpa was dangerous," Mara whispered.

Dad looked devastated. "Never to you, sweetheart."

"I know." She crossed the room and hugged him carefully around the shoulders. "That's why I kept calling."

Mara opened her notes app. She had recorded odd things Simone said about Grandpa: he forgot birthdays, broke a vase, and needed to be locked upstairs.

"I thought maybe adults knew something I didn't," Mara said. "But then Mom told me not to ask questions."

I wanted to promise she'd never have to think about any of this again. Instead, I said the only promise I could keep.

"You can always ask me. Even when the answers hurt."

That night, Tessa called. The bank had secured a temporary hold on the newest transfer, and the trust company had confirmed it was reviewing a suspicious deed filing.

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Then her voice dropped.

"Daniel, someone used your electronic signature to guarantee Nolan's debt. If the lender enforces it, Mercer Restoration could lose its equipment before we get into court."