Chapter 3 - The Gaslighting Begins
Officer Reyes was a stern woman who took thorough notes.
I explained exactly what happened at the party, describing Chloe’s shove and Marcus’s suspicious presence.
While I was giving my statement, my phone started vibrating relentlessly.
It was my father, followed by texts from Chloe.
“Don’t do anything stupid, David,” one text read.
“We are a respected family, and you are acting clinically insane,” read another.
I showed the messages directly to Officer Reyes.
She took screenshots with her department phone to add to the file.
“They are trying to build a narrative that you are unstable,” Officer Reyes warned me.
“It’s a common tactic in domestic abuse cases.”
I knew she was right.
My family had millions of dollars and half the city’s politicians in their pockets.
They would try to crush me to protect their perfect public image.
Suddenly, a high-priced lawyer walked right into the emergency room waiting area.
It was Harrison Vance, my father’s personal attorney.
He demanded to speak with the officers, claiming this was a simple family misunderstanding.
I stood in the doorway of the hospital room, shielding Maya from his view.
“You have no business being here, Harrison,” I shouted down the hall.
The lawyer offered a greasy, condescending smile.
“Your father is very concerned about your mental health tonight, David,” Harrison said loudly, making sure the nurses heard.
May you like
I realized then that they weren’t just going to deny the abuse.
They were going to try and take Maya away from me.
