“Third, we prepare for custody before the child is born.”

My hand tightened around my mug.

“Can he take her?”

Ruth looked me directly in the eyes.

“Not if I’m alive and awake.”

Mia whispered, “Definitely like her.”

Ruth turned a page.

“Fourth, we issue a statement. Short. Strong. No drama.”

I almost laughed.

“My life is currently all drama.”

“Then we don’t feed it. We control it.”

That afternoon, cameras gathered outside the gate.

I stood on the porch between my father and Mia.

Agent Harris stayed nearby.

Ruth gave one warning.

“Say only what we discussed.”

I nodded.

Then I faced the cameras.

“My name is Claire Bennett,” I said. “Yesterday, at what should have been a celebration for my unborn daughter, I was assaulted and humiliated in front of witnesses. I cooperated with federal authorities because crimes were committed, and silence would have made me part of them. My only priority now is my child’s safety.”

Questions exploded.

I raised my hand.

“I will not be threatened. I will not be bought. And I will not allow the Vance family to decide my daughter’s future.”

Then I stepped back.

Dad put his arm around me.

For once, cameras captured that too.

May you like

Not my fall.

My rising.

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