Chapter 24 - Vivian’s last counterattack
From prison pending appeal, Vivian challenged the custody case.
Not Nora.
Ellie.
She argued I was using her criminal conviction to erase her from our daughter’s life.
Her attorney produced evidence:
Vivian had been affectionate and attentive to Ellie.
Pediatric appointments current.
Preschool attendance good.
No abuse of Ellie.
True.
Then my travel schedule.
I worked long hours.
Vivian had been primary day-to-day parent.
Also true.
Could incarceration alone justify sole custody to me?
Practically yes during imprisonment, but future contact required analysis.
Then Vivian argued:
My slap showed violence.
Prosecutor had declined charge.
Still relevant to family court as conduct.
I testified:
“I struck her once when she lunged toward the opening where Nora was hiding. I did not strike her before or after.”
Would I regret?
“I regret Ellie saw it.”
Did I regret stopping Vivian?
“No.”
Then court.
Temporary sole legal/physical custody remained with me.
No live phone/video contact initially.
But judge authorized Vivian to send letters to Ellie through a court-approved screening process once therapist believed appropriate.
I objected.
Court overruled.
Parental relationship and child safety both mattered.
Then first letter.
Vivian wrote:
Mommy loves you. None of this is your fault.
Fine.
Then:
Daddy and other adults are angry with me, but one day I will explain.
Screening professional withheld that portion as placing child inside adult dispute.
Only appropriate content reached Ellie.
The system worked.
That irritated Vivian.
Good.
Then Nora’s civil lawyer uncovered one last issue:
Vivian had transferred $310,000 from her separate brokerage account to her mother two weeks after Nora was discovered.
Was it asset hiding?
Vivian claimed repayment of old family loan.
Documentation weak.
Civil court froze disputed transfer pending hearing.
Not all her assets.
May you like
Only contested amount.
Primary conflict remained active.
