Chapter 6 - The Unforgivable Sin
Desperation breeds cruelty. When Liam failed to secure the money, my mother decided to take matters into her own hands to punish me for "abandoning" the family.
A week later, Child Protective Services knocked on my door.
My heart hammered in my chest as a stern-looking social worker stepped into my home. "We received an anonymous tip," she said. "Allegations of emotional neglect and an unstable home environment."
My mother. She was trying to take Leo.
I didn't panic. I invited the social worker in. I showed her Leo's pristine bedroom, his glowing report cards, the fully stocked fridge, and my solid employment records. Then, I showed her the viral video.
"This is the environment my family provided," I explained calmly. "And this is why I cut them off."
The social worker watched the video on my tablet. Her professional demeanor slipped for just a second, a flash of pure disgust crossing her face. She spent twenty minutes chatting with Leo, who happily showed her his Legos and talked about his new school.
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"The case will be closed by tomorrow," the social worker said as she left. "And I strongly suggest you file a restraining order, ma'am. False reports are a crime."
That was the line. They hadn't just attacked me; they had tried to traumatize my son. The war was officially over. I had won, and I would make sure they never got near us again.
