Chapter 7 - The Custody Trap
I stared at the police officer in absolute disbelief, my wrists instinctively pulling back.
"Attempted murder?" I repeated, my voice echoing in the large executive office.
"Julian broke into my house and attacked me with a crowbar!"
The officer stepped forward, pulling a pair of cold metal handcuffs from his belt.
"Mr. Vance is currently in the ICU with a fractured skull," the officer stated without emotion.
"He claims you invited him over, ambushed him from behind, and beat him with a brass lamp."
Mr. Harrison immediately stepped between me and the police.
"My client acted in pure self-defense during a home invasion," Mr. Harrison argued forcefully.
"I am a witness to the entire event, and Julian is lying to manipulate a custody battle."
"You can explain that to the judge," the officer said, aggressively pushing past my lawyer.
Before I could process what was happening, the cold steel clamped tightly around my wrists.
I was led out of my own skyscraper, paraded through the lobby like a common criminal.
The paparazzi, tipped off by someone, were already swarming the sidewalks, flashing cameras in my face.
"Clara, I will bail you out immediately!" Mr. Harrison shouted over the chaotic crowd.
I spent the next twelve hours in a freezing, concrete holding cell, terrified for my children.
Sarah was with them, but if I was in jail, Julian’s emergency custody order would automatically take effect.
When Mr. Harrison finally posted my bail the next morning, I ran out of the precinct gasping for fresh air.
"Where are Maya and Liam?" I demanded, grabbing his suit jacket.
Mr. Harrison looked away, his expression filled with deep sorrow.
"I am so sorry, Clara," he whispered, his voice cracking.
"Because of the felony charge, the family court granted temporary custody to Julian’s mother."
My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the concrete pavement, letting out a gut-wrenching sob.
Julian had orchestrated the entire attack, knowing the injury would frame me and take my kids away.
He was willing to risk his own life just to torture me.
"Get me up," I growled, wiping the tears fiercely from my cheeks.
"We have the hard drive evidence, right?"
Mr. Harrison helped me to my feet, nodding slowly.
"Yes, the financial documents prove he is a massive fraud," he confirmed.
"Then we are going to Julian’s mother's house," I said, marching toward the waiting car.
"I am taking my children back right now, and I don't care who gets in my way."
We sped through the city, arriving at the sprawling suburban mansion owned by my awful mother-in-law.
I jumped out of the car and kicked the front door open, ready for a war.
May you like
But the house was completely empty, and a horrifying message was written in red lipstick on the hallway mirror.
"If you ever want to see them again, bring the twenty-four million to the docks."
