At some point a police officer arrived to take an initial statement.
Daniel stepped in before I could even try to answer too much.
“She needs to focus on staying stable,” he said. “I’ll tell you what happened.”
The officer nodded and took notes while I drifted in and out of contractions. I heard pieces of Daniel’s voice: wedding reception… father-in-law kicked the chair… multiple witnesses… video footage… eight months pregnant.
The officer’s tone changed as he wrote.
Later, another officer came in and spoke quietly to Daniel in the corner. I couldn’t hear everything, but I caught enough.
My father had been detained at the venue.
My mother had tried to leave with him.
Rachel had stopped them.
The videographer had already handed over the footage.
Two guests had given statements.
The event manager had provided security camera access from the ballroom entrance.
For the first time since I hit the floor, I felt something besides terror.
I felt certainty.
