Chapter 7 - SARAH ARRIVESSarah arrived at the hospital forty minutes later.
Alone.
No Grant.
She looked exhausted.
Hair in a messy ponytail.
No makeup.
She saw Lily and immediately cried.
Lily stayed beside me.
That hurt Sarah visibly.
“Baby.”
Lily did not move.
Sarah stopped herself from approaching further.
That was good.
Dr. Moore explained the wound was healing appropriately.
Then she explained she was required to file a child-protection report based on the history and findings.
Sarah closed her eyes.
“Okay.”
No screaming.
No dramatic attempt to run.
Just:
“Okay.”
I followed her into the hallway.
“Why did you tell urgent care she fell?”
She leaned against the wall.
“Because Grant said if they knew he grabbed her, Evan would use it.”
“Grant said that?”
“Yes.”
“Before you went?”
“Yes.”
“Did he come with you?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“He said it would look worse.”
My stomach tightened.
“So you went in alone and lied.”
Sarah looked at me.
“Yes.”
There it was.
No excuse.
Then I asked the question that changed the shape of the case.
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“Was this the first time he grabbed her?”
Sarah looked away.
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