Chapter 11 - The Protective Order
Chloe requested a protective order.
The court considered:
Bruising.
Hospital documentation.
Witness statements.
Text messages.
One voicemail Damian left after she left:
Come home now. If you make me lose this restaurant, you will regret ever putting my name on your life.
Another:
You belong here until I say the debt is paid.
Debt.
The word mattered.
He believed marriage had turned Chloe into repayment source.
Temporary order granted.
No contact except counsel.
No approach to Chloe’s residence or my condo.
Damian surrendered firearms? He owned one registered pistol in home safe. Under order procedures, yes, temporarily surrendered where applicable.
Chloe moved into my condo.
My two-bedroom apartment had never felt so small.
She slept fourteen hours the first night.
Then woke apologizing.
“For what?”
“Sleeping.”
“Stop.”
“I’m wasting day.”
“You are recovering.”
“I should help clean.”
“No.”
“Mom.”
“Chloe.”
She stared.
Then began crying.
May you like
“I don’t know how to sit down anymore.”
That sentence hurt more than courtroom papers.
