Chapter 9 - RACHEL'S FEAR
Rachel finally explained herself during a custody-related evaluation.
She had grown up in foster care.
Three homes before age nine.
She believed family disappeared unless you made it permanent.
Marriage did not feel permanent.
Adoption did.
When Sarah began discussing counseling and “space,” Rachel panicked.
If the marriage ended before adoption, Rachel could lose Emily completely.
No legal parent status.
No guaranteed visitation.
No decision rights.
That fear became urgency.
Urgency became control.
She pushed Emily to call her “Mom Rachel.”
She documented every conflict.
She wanted the record to show:
I am already her parent.
Then when Emily resisted, Rachel took resistance personally.
The hose was not part of a planned adoption scheme.
May you like
It was anger.
But the lie afterward was absolutely about protecting the adoption.
