Chapter 5 - The Retaliation
Peace was short-lived.
Vanessa, stripped of her position and her fiancé, decided to play her trump card.
It was a Tuesday afternoon when the doorbell rang. I opened it to find a stern-faced woman holding a clipboard, flanked by a police officer.
“Julian Hayes?” the woman asked. “I’m Agent Brooks with Child Protective Services. We received an anonymous report of child endangerment regarding Leo and Mia Hayes. We’re here to inspect the premises and speak with the mother, Sarah Hayes, who the caller claims is an unfit, unstable vagrant.”
My blood boiled. Vanessa.
Sarah came to the door, carrying Leo. When she saw the CPS badge, the color drained from her face. Her worst nightmare—having her babies taken away—was standing on our porch.
“Please,” Sarah begged, clutching Leo tightly to her chest. “I’m a good mother. I promise, they’re safe here.”
“Let them in, Sarah,” I said, keeping my voice calm to anchor her. “We have nothing to hide.”
Agent Brooks inspected the house. She saw the fully stocked nursery I had built over the weekend. She saw the organic baby food, the pristine medical records from their recent checkups, and the warm, safe environment.
“The report claimed the mother was sleeping on park benches and denying the children medical care,” Brooks said, looking confused.
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“My ex-fiancée made that report out of spite,” I explained smoothly, handing Brooks a file I had prepared just in case. It contained proof of Vanessa’s termination, her threatening texts to me, and the DNA results. “Sarah and I are co-parenting. The children are provided for, loved, and absolutely safe.”
Agent Brooks reviewed the file, sighed, and closed her clipboard. “I see. I apologize for the intrusion, Mr. Hayes. We’ll consider this case closed. But I suggest you get a restraining order against your ex.”
