Chapter 7 - RACHEL'S WEAK POINT
Margaret’s attorney was excellent.
Daniel Cross.
He did not defend food restriction directly.
He attacked Rachel’s parenting arrangement.
He argued:
Rachel voluntarily transferred weekday care.
Rachel knew Sophie was losing weight.
Rachel failed to intervene quickly.
Rachel continued funding Margaret without checking purchases.
Rachel prioritized work.
Painful.
Some true.
Rachel had noticed:
looser clothes,
fatigue,
food complaints.
She had believed Margaret’s explanation.
Was that negligence?
Maybe poor judgment.
Rachel had to face it.
In deposition:
“When did you first notice weight loss?”
“About six weeks before hospitalization.”
“And you left Sophie with your mother?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I believed she was eating.”
“Despite your daughter telling you she ate crackers?”
Rachel paused.
“I thought it was one meal.”
“Did you verify?”
“No.”
That answer haunted her.
Then Daniel Cross asked:
“You trusted your mother more than your daughter?”
Rachel’s eyes filled.
For a moment, yes.
That was the truth.
Margaret smiled slightly across the room.
Rachel saw it.
Not triumph over facts.
May you like
Triumph over guilt.
Margaret knew exactly where to hurt her.
