Chapter 6 - The Restraining OrderThe preliminary laboratory results arrived.
They strengthened the case.
Helen's testimony gave investigators a possible motive.
The security footage provided evidence of repeated unwanted contact.
The judge granted an emergency protection order.
David's mother was forbidden from approaching David, Leah, their home, or the hospital where Leah would deliver.
For the first time in weeks, Leah slept peacefully.
She began arranging baby clothes again.
She placed tiny socks inside drawers.
She finished decorating the nursery.
David watched her smile.
He wanted desperately to believe the nightmare was ending.
One evening, Leah placed a hand against her belly.
"She kicked."
David smiled.
Their daughter kicked again.
For a moment, everything was normal.
But David had learned something important.
Paper could create boundaries.
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It couldn't guarantee that a dangerous person would respect them.
And his mother had never been particularly good at respecting anything she couldn't control.
