Chapter 19 - After the verdict
Michael was remanded? Depending offense and bond. The judge continued bond until sentencing with same no-contact conditions, citing compliance and no flight violations.
He went back to Kevin’s house.
Not jail that night.
Emily was furious.
“He was convicted.”
“Yes.”
“Why is he walking out?”
“Because sentencing hasn’t happened.”
“That’s stupid.”
I did not argue.
Then probation/presentence investigation.
Michael’s history:
No record.
Stable employment.
Therapy begun.
Anger program completed privately but court would evaluate.
No substance misuse.
Accepted factual responsibility at trial but contested criminal classification.
Victim:
Minor daughter.
Serious medical risk.
Concealment over days.
Protective order compliance.
All mattered.
Then Michael wrote no more letters.
Good.
Then his employer offer disappeared because felony conviction.
He found contract estimating work through a small firm willing to hire after disclosure, subject to court conditions.
Projected income:
$78,000.
Significant drop.
Family court support would recalculate based actual/earning capacity.
No lifetime ruin.
Then divorce.
Property terms already negotiated.
Custody now.
Rachel filed for:
Sole legal and physical custody to me during Emily’s minority.
Michael supervised therapeutic contact only if Emily’s therapist and court approved.
Michael opposed sole legal custody permanently.
He requested:
Sarah primary physical custody.
Joint legal authority for major decisions after sentence, with Sarah tie-breaker.
Future therapeutic reunification.
No forced immediate contact.
His position had changed.
He was no longer asking:
Make her see me.
That mattered.
Then guardian ad litem interviewed Emily.
She said:
“I don’t want him making medical decisions.”
Understandable.
School?
Maybe.
Travel?
No.
Then judge asked experts.
Dr. Green recommended:
Sarah sole legal decision-making for medical/mental health during active recovery and criminal supervision.
Michael retain access to records where legally allowed but no veto.
Future review after demonstrated stability.
Physical custody with Sarah.
No direct contact unless Emily chooses therapeutic pathway.
At fifteen, her preference mattered heavily.
Not absolute.
Then my own fear.
If Michael went to jail, would Emily feel guilty?
Yes.
She already did.
She said:
“If I hadn’t texted Jenna…”
I stopped.
“No.”
“If I hadn’t told—”
“No.”
“Mom.”
“The jury convicted him for decisions he made. Not because you told the truth.”
She stared.
Then:
“Would you say that if he gets prison?”
May you like
“Yes.”
I hoped I could mean it then too.
