Chapter 16 - The Hospital Interview
At the hospital, Sarah answered questions alone.
A nurse photographed the bruise.
A social worker documented prior incidents.
Sarah expected disbelief.
Instead, they asked simple questions.
Did Derek restrict money?
Yes.
Transportation?
Yes.
Communication?
Yes.
Did he threaten the baby?
Not directly.
Did he make her fear losing custody?
Yes.
The social worker explained that abuse during pregnancy often escalated because the abuser feared losing control.
Sarah thought of Derek monitoring appointments.
Preparing the false mental-health letter.
Emptying the maternity account.
The baby had not caused the abuse.
The pregnancy made his system visible.
Frank waited outside.
He did not insist on hearing every detail.
When Sarah finished, she found him holding Michael’s old Marine challenge coin.
He always carried it during difficult moments.
“I should have seen it,” he said.
“You asked.”
“Not enough.”
“I lied.”
“You were afraid.”
“I defended him.”
“You were surviving the day you were in.”
Sarah began crying.
Frank held her carefully.
Not tightly.
Not possessively.
May you like
He let her decide how close.
That difference mattered.
