I felt my grip tighten around her hand.
“Has Trent done this before?”
Cassidy didn’t answer immediately. Her eyes filled with tears, and the silence between us told me more than any denial could have.
I wanted to storm out of that hospital and find Trent myself. I wanted to demand answers, to make him look me in the eye and explain how he could hurt the woman carrying his child.
But anger wouldn’t protect Cassidy. It wouldn’t protect Lydia. And it certainly wouldn’t help the fragile little boy fighting to survive in the NICU.Find Family Lawyer
I needed something stronger than anger.
I needed evidence.
Before leaving the hospital, I contacted a family-law attorney and a domestic-violence advocate. They helped Cassidy begin the process of requesting an emergency protective order covering herself, Lydia, and the newborn.
The hospital preserved photographs of her injuries, the surgical records, and her statement. The 911 center preserved Lydia’s call. A trained child-forensic interviewer arranged to speak with Lydia in a safe environment so she wouldn’t have to recount the terrifying night over and over to different strangers.
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