The Armor We Wear

The next morning, Elena Vance—no relation to Julian—arrived at the garage. She was a sharp, direct attorney with a non-nonsense aura and a soft heart for children.

After speaking with Mia and reviewing Sarah’s medical photographs, Elena sat down with Hank in the office.

""Julian Vance is powerful, Hank,"" Elena explained, opening a thick blue folder. ""He holds the deed to the estate through a trust, but if what Mia says about her mother's holographic will is true, he’s been committing fraud in addition to child abuse.""

""Can we get the police to search the house for the letter?"" Hank asked.

""Not without a warrant, and right now, Julian's attorneys are filing an emergency petition to claim Mia as a runaway child,"" Elena said. ""We need temporary emergency custody granted to you first. That gives us legal standing to request a wellness check and search of the property.""

""How do we get that?""

""We go to court tomorrow morning,"" Elena replied. ""And Mia will have to speak to the judge in chambers. She has to be brave one more time.""

Hank walked out to the workshop where Mia was sitting on a wooden stool, watching the rain hit the glass windows. He crouched down in front of her.

""Mia, tomorrow we have to go tell a judge the truth. It might be scary seeing Julian in that room, but I'll be standing right beside you.""