Two days later Sarah sat inside a quiet law firm.
Her divorce lawyer listened carefully to the whole story.
Claire was safe at a pediatric doctor's office getting evaluated.
The medical report confirmed that the bruises were from impact.
Photos of the bandages and injuries were logged as evidence.
The lawyer took notes on a yellow notepad without speaking.
Lawyer: We have more than enough grounds for sole custody.
Sarah: I want a full restraining order against Eleanor too.
Lawyer: Given the medical records, that will not be difficult.
David arrived at the law building an hour later alone.
He looked pale and wore a wrinkled grey business suit.
He sat down across from Sarah in the glass conference room.
David: I kicked my stepmother out of the house, Sarah.
Sarah: That does not fix what you allowed to happen.
David: I truly did not know how cruel she was!
Sarah: You ignored the signs because you wanted her inheritance.
David hung his head in deep shame and stayed silent.
He knew his wife was speaking the absolute cold truth.
He had turned a blind eye to keep his mother happy.
He handed a signed set of custody papers across the table.
David: I will agree to full legal and physical custody.
David: Just please let me see her under supervision eventually.
Sarah: That depends on your actions from now on, David.
Sarah took the signed legal documents and stood up tall.
She walked out of the corporate office with her head high.
She felt a huge weight lifting off her tired shoulders.
She was going to protect her little girl no matter what.