Chapter 7 - DIANE GOES TO WAR
Diane could not reach Lily.
So she went after me.
It started online.
A vague Facebook post.
Sometimes unstable people weaponize children against loving grandparents. Pray for our family.
Then another.
There are two sides to every story.
Relatives began sharing them.
Friends of the Bennett family commented.
People who had never spent five minutes alone with me suddenly had theories about my marriage.
Then someone posted the edited video.
It began with me slapping Jason.
Three times.
The footage of Diane striking Lily had been removed.
Within hours, strangers were calling me abusive.
One comment had more than four hundred likes.
That poor husband. Imagine what she does when cameras aren't rolling.
I sat in Caroline’s kitchen staring at the screen until she took my phone away.
“Stop reading.”
“They believe her.”
“Some strangers believe a fifteen-second clip.”
“My employer could see this.”
“They probably will.”
They did.
The next morning, Human Resources asked me to join a video call.
I worked as a project manager for a medical software company.
My manager, Devon, appeared with an HR representative.
I expected suspension.
Instead Devon said:
“We’ve received several emails.”
My stomach dropped.
“From whom?”
“They appear to come from people associated with your husband’s family.”
Of course.
“They’ve accused you of child abduction, spousal abuse, and fraud.”
I closed my eyes.
Devon continued.
“We are not making employment decisions based on unverified allegations arising from a custody dispute.”
Relief hit so hard my eyes filled.
“Thank you.”
“But security is being informed.”
“Why?”
“Because one email included the address of our Chicago office and asked whether you were working there today.”
My blood went cold.
Rachel immediately added it to the record.
Then she sent Diane’s attorney a preservation notice and a warning.
Diane responded publicly.
I will not be intimidated into silence.
Rachel smiled when she saw it.
“She thinks this is Facebook.”
“What is it?”
“Evidence.”
The edited video caused one more problem.
Judge Porter saw it.
At the next status conference, she looked directly at both attorneys.
“This court will not tolerate litigation by social media.”
Jason’s attorney insisted Jason had not posted the clip.
Rachel stood.
“Then perhaps Mr. Bennett will join us in requesting that his family stop distributing selectively edited evidence involving a two-year-old child.”
Jason’s lawyer had no good response.
The judge issued a mutual prohibition against publishing images, recordings, or medical information involving Lily.
Outside court, Jason approached me.
His lawyer tried to stop him.
He ignored him.
“I didn’t post that video.”
“Then tell your mother to stop.”
“I did.”
I laughed.
Not loudly.
Just once.
“You told Diane to stop?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
Jason looked away.
There it was.
The entire marriage.
One tiny movement of his eyes.
I stepped closer.
“Did she listen?”
“No.”
“Then what did you do?”
He said nothing.
I nodded.
“That’s why we’re here.”
His face hardened.
“You think you’re perfect now?”
“No.”
“You hit me.”
“I know.”
“You took my daughter.”
“I took our daughter to a doctor after your mother struck her.”
“She’s my daughter too.”
“Then start acting like her father.”
Jason flinched.
I walked away.
That night, an unknown number sent me one sentence.
You think Diane is the worst thing in that family. She isn't.
I stared at the message.
Then another arrived.
Ask Jason what he did six months ago.
My pulse began to race.
Six months ago.
The custody consultation.
I forwarded both messages to Rachel.
She called within minutes.
“Do not answer.”
“Who is it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Could be Brooke.”
“Could be someone baiting you.”
“Could be someone trying to help.”
Then the third message appeared.
A photograph.
Jason walking into a law office.
Timestamped six months earlier.
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He wasn't preparing for divorce. He was preparing to take Lily.
