Chapter 7
The guardian ad litem interviewed Dulcie six times over three weeks.
The pattern was consistent.
Dulcie loved her mother.
Dulcie also felt responsible for her mother’s emotions.
If she did not want to film, Ramona became quiet.
If a campaign performed poorly, Ramona worried about money in front of her.
If Benedict criticized the schedule, Ramona told Dulcie:
“Your father doesn’t respect what we built.”
The child had begun believing work was loyalty.
Stopping work meant hurting Mom.
That was a problem independent of the birthday.
Then Dulcie disclosed something nobody expected.
A week before the party, Ramona asked:
“If Dad tries to make you live with him more, where do you want to live?”
Dulcie said:
“Both.”
Ramona cried.
Not fake necessarily.
Real fear.
Then she asked:
“Would you tell the judge Ainsley scares you?”
Dulcie said no.
Ramona changed the subject.
The guardian documented it.
No coaching order had yet been violated.
But the question mattered.
Then Benedict’s own weaknesses entered the report.
He traveled frequently.
Had missed two school events.
Relied heavily on Ainsley for homework and scheduling during his weeks.
Had once criticized Ramona’s influencer work in front of Dulcie.
The guardian wrote:
“Both households have contributed to loyalty pressure.”
Benedict hated it.
Then accepted it.
He changed his travel schedule.
Delegated two accounts at work.
Stopped discussing the case anywhere the children could overhear.
No grandstanding.
Then Denise Parker’s financial review found Benedict’s own issue.
He had reimbursed himself from Dulcie’s child-expense account for $9,600 of travel connected to a campaign he attended partly because of a business meeting nearby.
Improper allocation:
$3,100.
He repaid it with interest.
Another:
A family security expense connected to a public appearance included protection for Benedict unrelated to Dulcie.
Correction:
$2,400.
Paid.
Ramona’s lawyer cited both.
Benedict answered:
“She’s right.”
That irritated Ramona more than denial would have.
Then Denise found that RH House had paid Ramona a $120,000 salary separate from management fees.
Not automatically improper.
But the business derived almost sixty percent of revenue from Dulcie-related campaigns.
If Dulcie’s work reduced significantly, RH House would struggle to support Ramona’s current compensation.
The custody case threatened not only money.
It threatened Ramona’s identity as a successful entrepreneur.
Then an email from Ramona to a brand agent surfaced.
Dated five days before the birthday.
Need Monday hearing contained. If Benedict gets school weeks, our fall calendar collapses.
Agent:
Can shoots move weekends?
Ramona:
Not enough. Also accountant issue. Need him to back off both.
Agent:
How?
Ramona:
He will after Saturday.
Saturday.
May you like
The party.
The promise existed before the scissors were used.
