Chapter 13 - Mother’s Counterattack
Margaret filed a civil counterclaim.
Against me.
She alleged defamation.
Intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Interference with Victoria’s medical care.
Abuse of process.
Susan called most weak.
Not impossible to file.
Likely dismissable partly.
“What did I defame her with?”
“Statements to guests/police that she burned you.”
“She did.”
“Truth defense.”
“What interference with medical care?”
“Freezing trust funds prevented Victoria’s treatment.”
“The trust is mine.”
“Exactly.”
Mom wanted lawsuit as leverage.
Cost.
Fear.
Public filings.
Susan moved to dismiss.
Court later dismissed most counts and stayed one narrow reputational issue pending criminal case, eventually dismissed too.
No spectacular courtroom takedown.
Procedural.
Margaret also contacted extended family.
Aunt Carol called.
“Your mother says Victoria may never have baby because you froze money.”
I said:
“Victoria’s treatment is not funded by my trust.”
“She says Robert wanted family to help.”
“Then anyone can donate voluntarily.”
Silence.
“Are you?”
“What?”
“Donating.”
Aunt Carol stopped calling.
That became useful answer.
If family believed Victoria entitled to support, they could support.
They wanted mine because it was accessible.
No one else volunteered six figures.
Victoria’s medical team confirmed her stored embryos remained safe and future treatment could be pursued later if she chose and could finance.
No emergency deadline.
Mom had exaggerated.
Again.
Then Margaret made a public mistake.
At a church fundraiser, she told several people:
“I only took what Elizabeth would have given if she weren’t controlled by Michael.”
One attendee was a retired attorney who knew Susan.
Affidavit later.
Not decisive.
Corroboration of mindset.
Michael became target.
Mom claimed he turned me against family.
Old script.
I reminded myself:
No.
My no belonged to me.
Then criminal prosecutor offered Margaret plea.
Simple assault for soup plus financial charges being investigated separately? Financial not yet filed. She could resolve assault first.
Margaret refused.
“I will not plead guilty for disciplining my daughter.”
I was thirty one.
Pregnant.
Not a child.
The prosecutor looked unimpressed.
Trial date set.
Victoria’s lawyer told us she might testify about mother’s anger and financial pressure.
Would that look self-serving?
Yes.
Still evidence if corroborated.
Video mattered most.
At trial, Jenna.
Michael.
Me.
Video.
Dr. Feld for injury.
Defense argued soup was hot but not intended to burn.
Margaret said she “threw liquid toward table in frustration.”
Video showed bowl aimed at me.
Jury convicted misdemeanor assault and battery.
Not attempted murder.
Not aggravated mayhem.
Reasonable.
Judge imposed a short custodial term partly suspended, probation, anger management, no contact with me absent written consent, restitution for medical out-of-pocket costs.
Margaret cried.
I felt nothing.
May you like
Then financial indictment arrived two weeks later.
More serious.
