Chapter 6 - The Grandparents' Desperation
With Liam and Chloe out on bail (thanks to my parents liquidating their retirement funds), the harassment escalated. Since they couldn't legally contact me or the kids, they used my parents as their proxies.
It started with incessant emails, then moved to my parents showing up at the kids' elementary school. Thankfully, I had provided the school with the restraining order. When my mother tried to check Lily out of school for a "dentist appointment," the principal called the police, and my mother was escorted off the property in tears.
That night, my father showed up at my house. He stood on the sidewalk, knowing if he crossed the property line, he’d be violating the proxy contact order.
I stepped out onto the porch, phone in hand, ready to dial 911.
“Maya, please!” my father shouted, his voice cracking. He looked ten years older, the proud, arrogant patriarch completely broken. “Liam is facing ten years in prison! They are going to take his medical license! We are completely broke from the legal fees!”
“Actions have consequences, Dad,” I called back, my voice completely devoid of pity.
“They are your family! How can you be so cold?!”
“Cold?” I laughed, a bitter, sharp sound. “You watched them use me as an unpaid servant for seven years. You bribed them to have children they didn't want. You tried to kidnap my niece from school today. You don't know what family means. You only care about control.”
“If you don't drop this guardianship petition,” he threatened, pointing a shaking finger at me, “you are dead to us. You will be cut out of the will. You will have no one.”
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“I have four incredible kids asleep in my house right now,” I replied, staring him down. “I have everything I ever wanted. You are the one who is going to die alone.”
I went back inside and locked the door. I never spoke to my father again.
