Chapter 4 - The CPS Nightmare
I was about to dial the police when heavy footsteps echoed down the hospital corridor.
I looked up from my phone screen.
Two uniformed police officers were walking directly toward me.
They were accompanied by a stern-looking woman holding a clipboard.
"Are you the father of Leo?" the woman asked coldly.
"Yes," I replied, feeling a sudden wave of confusion.
The woman flashed a badge at me.
"I am Agent Harris from Child Protective Services."
"We received an emergency hotline call regarding the safety of this infant."
I stared at her in utter disbelief.
"A call from who?" I demanded.
"The caller wished to remain anonymous," Agent Harris stated.
"However, they reported that the child's mother is suffering from severe substance abuse."
"They claimed she passed out from drugs while caring for the newborn."
I let out a harsh, humorless laugh.
"My mother called you, didn't she?"
Agent Harris ignored my question and looked pointedly at the sleeping baby in my arms.
"We were also informed that you exhibited violent behavior tonight."
"The caller stated you physically assaulted a family member in front of the infant."
The police officers shifted their weight, their hands resting near their duty belts.
Margaret had actually done it.
She had spun the entire narrative to make us look like abusive, drug-addicted monsters.
She was trying to have our son taken away by the state.
"This is an absolute lie," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady.
"My wife is in that hospital room right now because she was poisoned."
Agent Harris raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Poisoned?" she repeated dryly.
"Yes," I insisted, pointing toward the trauma room.
"The doctor just confirmed she has sedatives in her system."
"She didn't take them willingly."
"My mother slipped them into her drink to frame her."
The police officers exchanged a doubtful look.
"Sir, that is a very serious accusation to make," one officer warned.
"I know it is," I shot back fiercely.
"And I have the video evidence to prove exactly what she did."
I held up my smartphone, the paused video of Margaret crushing the pills still on the screen.
"I have footage from my kitchen camera."
"You can watch her drug my wife's tea with her own two hands."
Agent Harris's expression instantly changed from hostile to intrigued.
May you like
"Let me see that," she said, reaching for the phone.
I pressed play, and the three of them leaned in to watch my mother commit a felony.
