“The next most concerning thing she stated was when she was a teenager, her father sexually assaulted her in an attempt at raping her. She stated that she was then locked in their basement over a weekend after she wrote a journal entry about the incident and her desire to seek help. Her sister was the one who walked in on the incident, but she then lied when she was confronted by hermother. I do have concerns about incest within her sister and father’s relationship based on the things that Anika explained to me.
“Another thing mentioned was the most recent traumatic experiences. When she ended her relationship with Mr. Allen it was due to coming back a day early from a business trip to find her sister, Harper, having sex with Mr. Allen. She packed her belongings and left. In the process of leaving, she was grabbed by Mr. Allen which resulted in significant bruising. I believe her lawyer has pictures of the original bruise, but she still has it now. After talking with Mr. Garcia and her best friend, Mia, she then moved in with Rowan. From there she was invited to her biological parents' home where she was essentially threatened with conservatorship and commitment if she did not agree to donate a kidney to her sister. Her sister is currently in renal failure according to her parents' claims. Mr. Garcia was witness to this threat as well.
“None of this includes Mr. Allen following her to her mother-in-law’s house yesterday to threaten to kill her if she did not donate. I, as well as her lawyer, have seen the security footage video with audio where he states that she will donate whether it’s done legitimately or not. As far as transparency, she did willingly go into the driveway to confront him in an attempt to make him go away. She was the first one to act aggressively by pushing him back towards his car but his response to that was to grab her by the throat and threaten to kill her before throwing her to the ground.”
“Mrs. Garcia. Sum all of this up for me in your own words please,” she says as she looks through the folder that Emma gave her.
“I was neglected by my biological parents for my entire life. I was not loved by them. I was simply someone to use. I will be the first to admit that I have issues with anger, but I have it very well undercontrol and I know how to self-regulate. The only reason we are here in court is because they want something from me that I will not give them. The only thing I want is to get them out of my life. I do not claim them or my biological sister to be family so therefore there is no need for me to keep in contact with them.
“I have agreed to regular sessions with Dr. Dathe to work through my trauma as a way to further improve my ability to self-regulate. I will also go as far as to admit that the reason Rowan and I got married was to keep my parents from having me committed. This does not change the fact that I love Rowan and Max more than I think I will ever comprehend. I know without a doubt that we will create a wonderful life together.” She looks from me to the screen on her laptop and clicks a button. I assume it is security footage from Maria’s house. When she is done watching she looks back to me.
“What was said that made you go out there?” she asks.
“Isaac said that someone could take me, and I wouldn’t know the difference until it was too late. After he accurately guessed where I was, I knew he was outside. I was concerned for the safety of my family, and I reacted to that fear in a way that put myself in danger, but upon reflection, I still would have taken the same risk because Isaac is unpredictable and volatile,” I say.
“Dr. Dathe, what is your opinion on Ms. Garcia donating a kidney to her sister in reference to her mental health?”
“Simply put, I highly recommend against any unnecessary surgeries. Donation is a massive undertaking and considering the history with her sister and her disdain for the idea of donating, it would be detrimental to her mental health and life if she was forced to donate.”
“I agree,” the judge says. “First, I want to inform Ms. Harper Brooks that I will be informing UNOS of this threat to Mrs. Garcia’s life as well as starting an investigation into the claim of Anika being forced to donate bone marrow at four years old. Considering you have to be 18 years old to donate, that would be criminal charges against anyone and everyone involved who was over 18. Next, I am denying conservatorship to anyone over Mrs. Garcia. I will not annul the marriage. I see there is a request for a restraining order to be placed on her biological parents, her biological sister, and Isaac Allen?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Emma says.
“I am granting all four. This will last for 10 years, in which you will have to reapply for the restraining order. This is effective immediately. This means that you may not come within 300 feet of her. You may not attempt to communicate with her in any way, including people working on your behalf. If you fail to follow these terms, you will be charged with aggravated stalking and receive a sentence of up to five years in prison. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Mom, Dad, Harper, and Isaac say.
“With your permission, I’d like to say something to my daughter, if that’s okay,” Mom says. The judge looks at me and I look at Theo.
“It’s risky but you can handle it,” he says.
“Fine,” I say simply.
“Go ahead,” the Judge says.
“Anika, I am sorry for the trauma that I have caused you. You deserved better than that and I truly hope that you find happiness in life,” she says.
“No, you’re not, but I appreciate it nonetheless,” I say.
“Alright,” The Judge says as she smacks her gavel down. “You are free to go.” My parents and sister leave without Isaac, but he stays there staring at me with fury in his eyes.
“Can we go? Isaac looks like he’s going to stab me,” I say as I turn to the others.
“Yeah, let’s go get some food. We can just work from home today,” Rowan says as he kisses me.
Chapter Nine
Anika
Two Weeks Later
“Did you take ityet?” Mia asks when I open the front door.
“Hello to you too,” I laugh and step to the side so she and Emma can come inside.
“We brought Theo and Annie. More so just Annie,” Emma says.
“All for me to pee on something,” I say, shaking my head as Theo and Annie come in.