Chapter 7 - THE COURT CAMERA
The custody hearing began with apartment footage.
Daniel removing supplies.
Vanessa taking milk.
The petition.
The sentence: “He was always supposed to be mine.”
Daniel’s attorney argued the video lacked context.
Then the clinical camera from my first delivery surfaced.
It showed Sophie born alive.
I reached toward her.
Daniel stood beside the bed.
Vanessa watched behind glass.
A nurse injected my IV.
My eyes closed.
Daniel signed the transfer.
The court fell silent.
Vanessa began crying.
She said she believed I had consented.
The footage showed her asking Daniel, “Does Maya know?”
He answered, “She doesn’t need to.”
Her belief defense collapsed.
Then another woman appeared in the video.
Same face as Vanessa.
Different posture.
An identical twin.
Catherine Carter.
Declared dead at birth.
The Carter family used sisters as interchangeable guardians.
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Which woman raised Sophie?
The answer might change the case again.
