Chapter 7 - THE FAMILY’S COUNTERATTACK
By morning, the Whitmore family had released a public statement.
It claimed Emma had suffered an unfortunate fall during an emotional confrontation.
It described Vanessa as a loving sister who had tried to help.
It also suggested Emma had been experiencing stress and confusion related to her pregnancy.
The statement reached every major news outlet before breakfast.
Emma read it from her hospital bed.
“They are already rewriting what happened.”
Cole stood near the window.
“Charles hired a crisis-management firm.”
Daniel read the statement twice.
“My mother approved this.”
“Your mother gave the interview,” Cole said.
A television mounted on the wall showed Margaret stepping out of a black car.
Reporters surrounded her.
“Our family loves Emma,” Margaret said.
“We are deeply concerned about her condition.”
“She has not been herself for several months.”
“We hope she receives the care she needs.”
Emma turned off the television.
Daniel looked ashamed.
“She is trying to have you declared mentally unfit.”
“She has been building that story for months.”
Emma opened her phone.
She showed Daniel messages from Margaret.
They began gently.
You should rest more.
Pregnancy can make women imagine things.
Later, they became crueler.
Daniel cannot spend his life managing your emotions.
Perhaps the baby would be safer with someone stronger.
Daniel’s hand tightened around the phone.
“Why did you never show me these?”
“I did.”
“You said your mother was worried about me.”
Daniel remembered.
Emma had shown him one of the messages during dinner.
He had barely looked at it.
He had told her not to create conflict.
Cole’s phone rang.
He answered, listened, and then faced Emma.
“The family’s attorneys filed an emergency petition.”
“For what?”
“They want temporary control over your medical decisions.”
Daniel stood.
“They cannot do that.”
“They are claiming you may harm yourself or the baby.”
Emma’s face went cold.
“What evidence do they have?”
“The pills Vanessa planted in your desk.”
Daniel walked toward the door.
“I will testify against them.”
Cole stopped him.
“You need more than anger.”
“You need proof that you were not part of the plan.”
Daniel looked back.
“My name is on the false accounts.”
“My signature appears on their transfers.”
“That is why we need you to cooperate.”
Emma studied her husband.
This was no longer only about whether Daniel believed her.
The police needed to know whether she could trust him with evidence.
“Tell them everything,” Emma said.
Daniel met her eyes.
“Everything?”
“Every document you signed without reading.”
“Every private family meeting.”
“Every time your father asked you to move money.”
“You may incriminate yourself.”
Daniel did not hesitate.
“I already endangered you by refusing to see the truth.”
“I will not protect myself while they try to take our baby.”
Cole opened the door.
“Then come with me.”
As Daniel left, Emma received a message from an unknown number.
The message contained a photograph of Rosa’s son leaving school.
Beneath it were six words.
Withdraw your statement before sunset.
Emma immediately showed Cole.
He studied the number.
“Vanessa is trying to frighten you.”
Emma looked at the photograph.
“No.”
“She is telling us she has someone near the boy.”
Cole called Park.
Within minutes, officers were sent to the school.
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But Rosa’s son was no longer there.
Someone had signed him out twenty minutes earlier.
