Chapter 7 - Setting the Trap
The next morning, Sarah was sitting up in bed, looking more like her vibrant self. The bruising on her side was a stark purple, a harsh reminder of the monster we were dealing with, but her spirit was unbroken. I sat beside her, holding her hand as I explained the plan Marcus and I had concocted.
"Are you sure about this, David?" Sarah asked, her voice tinged with worry. "I just want her out of our lives. I don't want you getting hurt."
"She hurt you. She tried to hurt our baby," I replied gently, kissing her knuckles. "If we just cut her off, she'll play the victim forever. She’ll rally the family, she’ll try to sue for grandparents' rights, she’ll never stop plotting. We have to sever the head of the snake publicly. We have to trap her."
Sarah looked into my eyes, seeing the unyielding resolve there, and finally nodded. "Okay. Do it."
I stepped out into the hallway and pulled out my phone. I unblocked Eleanor's number and typed out a carefully crafted text message.
Mom. The hospital said Sarah is fine, she overreacted. I saw your Facebook post and talked to Greg. The family is tearing apart. I don't want this to go to court. Come to my lawyer's office tomorrow at 2 PM. We can sign a settlement agreement. I’ll give you the $500,000 permanently, no questions asked, if you just agree to leave us alone. Bring Greg and Martha so they know I’m playing fair.
I hit send and waited. The bait was heavily loaded with the two things Eleanor could not resist: money, and the validation of an audience.
May you like
Three minutes later, my phone buzzed. It’s about time you came to your senses and realized who your real family is. We will be there. You better have the check ready, David.
I smiled a cold, humorless smile. She had taken the bait hook, line, and sinker. She thought she had won. She thought her manipulation had successfully broken me. She had no idea she was walking straight into a legal slaughterhouse.
