How? Victoria glanced at Davidson, panic in her eyes. Her lawyer started to rise, but she answered before he could object. We were in a relationship. So, you left your husband and three-year-old daughter to be with another man.
It wasn't like that. What was it like, Mrs. Reed? Victoria's tears were real now, but they weren't the sympathetic kind. They were the tears of someone watching their carefully constructed story fall apart. "I was unhappy in my marriage," she said, her voice hardening.
"I felt trapped. Derek offered me a way out." "And Lily, your three-year-old daughter. What did Derek offer her?" He wasn't interested in children.
Victoria's voice was barely a whisper. I'm sorry. Could you repeat that? He wasn't interested in children. Louder now, defiant.
He didn't want Lily around, so I left her with Marcus. The courtroom went silent. Marcus felt like he'd been punched in the gut. All this time, he'd wondered why Victoria had left. He'd assumed it was something he'd done, something he'd failed at.
But it was never about him at all. It was about a man who didn't want to be bothered with a child. She'd chosen a boyfriend over her own daughter. Mrs. Reed. Mr. Warren continued his voice cold.
You said earlier that you've been in recovery for various challenges. Can you tell the court what those challenges are? Davidson jumped up. Your honor, this is not relevant. It's directly relevant to the petitioner's fitness as a parent.
Mr. Warren turned to the judge. and I believe the court has already received evidence on this matter. Judge Caldwell nodded overruled. The witness will answer. Victoria looked trapped. She glanced at Davidson at Marcus at the judge, finding no escape anywhere.
I had some issues with substances, she finally said. Some issues. Mr. Warren picked up another document. According to this police report, you were arrested on March 15th of last year for possession of cocaine. The charges were dropped due to a procedural error, but the arrest remains on record.
Is that correct? Yes. And on July 28th, you were arrested again. Same charge, same outcome. Is that correct?
Yes. Victoria's voice was barely audible. And on September 3rd, you were terminated from your position at Morrison Financial for showing up to work intoxicated multiple times. Is that correct? I was going through a difficult period.
Is that correct, Mrs. Reed? Yes. Mr. Warren set down the documents. So, let me understand. You abandoned your daughter 3 years ago to be with a man who didn't want her around.