Vanessa saw the page before I did.
Her mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
The social worker’s face changed first.
The officer looked down once, then back at Vanessa.
His expression went from polite to cold.
Even the nurse pressed one hand against the clipboard like she needed it to stay standing.
Then Eli’s small voice came from behind the exam room door.
“Dad? Is she here?”
Vanessa’s smile cracked.
The officer took one step toward her.
“Mrs. Carter,” he said, “before you say another word, you need to understand that your son has made a statement.”
Vanessa blinked quickly.
“He’s confused.”
The social worker answered before I could.
“He was very clear.”
Something in that sentence changed the air.
Vanessa looked at me again, but the old power was gone from her face.
For years, she had relied on being the calmest person in the room.
