Chapter 5 - Unearthing the Foundation
The civilian attorney Marcus recommended was Eleanor Sterling, a sharp woman in her fifties with silver hair and a reputation for dismantling family court predators. We sat in her downtown office while Ava slept in her stroller beside us.
Eleanor reviewed the petition, a small, unimpressed smile playing on her lips. "Grandparent visitation in this state requires a high threshold, Chloe. They have to prove that denying visitation will cause significant harm to the child. Given that Ava is a newborn who doesn't even know who your mother is, their case is legally laughable."
"But they're claiming I'm mentally unstable," I pointed out.
"Which is why we are going to counter-attack," Eleanor said, leaning forward. "You mentioned you've been financially supporting your sister and mother for years. Do you have records of these transactions?"
"Every single one," I said, opening my laptop. "Every bank transfer, every Venmo, every text message begging for money followed by a confirmation of receipt. I have kept records since 2021."
Eleanor scrolled through the spreadsheet I had meticulously maintained over the years. Her eyes widened slightly as the numbers added up. "Chloe... you've transferred over ninety-five thousand dollars to your sister and mother over the last five years."
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"I thought I was helping them," I admitted, the old shame creeping up.
"No," Eleanor corrected firmly. "You were being extorted through emotional manipulation. And look at this text from your sister last year: 'If you don't send the $5,000 for the car, mom and I will make sure the base commander hears about how you treat your family.' That, my dear, is illegal coercion. We aren't just going to fight this petition; we are going to file a countersuit for harassment and extortion."
