Victoria's eyes welled with tears. Marcus had seen this before. The way she could cry on command, could make herself look vulnerable and sympathetic whenever it suited her. "I was struggling," she said, her voice breaking. "I was dealing with depression, with anxiety.
I felt like I was drowning and I made the terrible decision to walk away. Do you regret that decision? Every single day. She looked at Marcus and her eyes seemed almost sincere. Almost.
I know I hurt them. I know I abandoned them when they needed me most. But I wasn't well, Mr. Davidson. I wasn't capable of being the mother Lily deserved. And now, now I've gotten help.
I've been in therapy for 2 years. I've worked on myself, addressed my issues. She sat up straighter. I'm not the same person who walked out that door. I'm stronger now.
I'm ready to be a mother. What can you offer Lily that she doesn't currently have? stability, security, a home with more than one room, a neighborhood with good schools, opportunities, dance lessons, music classes, summer camps, all the things children deserve. And you have the means to provide these things. Yes, my partner David is very successful. He's prepared to help support Lily in every way.
Marcus felt sick. She was selling their daughter like a commodity, listing off material goods as if they were more important than love. Thank you, Mrs. Reed. Davidson returned to his seat. Your witness, Mr. Warren stood slowly.
He looked at Victoria for a long moment, and something in his expression made her shift uncomfortably. Mrs. Reed, you said you left because you were struggling with depression and anxiety. Is that correct? Yes. and you sought treatment for these conditions? Victoria hesitated.
Eventually, yes. Eventually, Mr. Warren nodded. But not immediately. In fact, for the first 2 years after you left, you received no mental health treatment at all. Isn't that true?
I wasn't ready. Or perhaps you weren't struggling with depression at all. Perhaps you left for other reasons entirely. Davidson stood. Objection.
Speculation. I'll rephrase. Mr. Warren picked up a document from his table. Mrs. Reed, where did you go when you left your husband and daughter? Victoria's face tightened.
I went to stay with friends. Which friends? Various people. I moved around a lot. Did any of these friends include a man named Derek Vance?
The color drained from Victoria's face. Marcus sat up straighter. He'd never heard that name before. I Yes, I knew Derek. Knew him.