Chapter 13 - The Record That Would Remain
Nora offered two paths. Maya could accept a family safety agreement allowing Elaine and Rachel supervised contact after training and Warren's testing. The case would close without a neglect finding. Or Maya could request a full finding naming every adult choice. That could block family pickup, complicate Warren's care, and narrow any route back to Ellie. One path preserved contact but trusted people who used Ellie as a test. The other created a record but might drain Warren's savings. A formal finding would also follow Rachel into any future request to supervise children. The agreement would leave Maya responsible for testing their promises. Rachel said, "Do what you have to." Elaine said nothing. Ellie tapped her zipper once, stopped, and looked at Maya instead. Maya requested the full determination. She added her ignored warnings and asked for no softer wording. Justice would not restore the promotion, the piano, or Ellie's trust. It would only stop convenience from rewriting danger.
