Chapter 8 - The Therapist Who Asked the Wrong Question
Maya’s physical therapist, Dr. Lauren Shaw, noticed the bruising around her knees.
The old braces were cutting into her skin.
“Where are the new ones?” Lauren asked.
“Victor says they’re unsafe.”
Lauren frowned.
“I approved them personally.”
Maya looked toward the waiting-room window.
Victor sat outside, watching.
“He keeps them locked up.”
Lauren lowered her voice.
“Has he ever prevented you from leaving the house?”
Maya hesitated.
Answering truthfully felt like stepping off a ledge.
“Yes.”
“Has he taken your phone or money?”
“Yes.”
“Has he hurt you?”
“Not yet.”
Lauren did not tell Maya to confront him.
She gave her a small card containing a domestic violence hotline and the number of a disability-rights attorney named Denise Walker.
“Abuse can include taking mobility equipment,” Lauren said. “Your braces are not a privilege he gets to control.”
Maya hid the card inside her shoe.
Victor entered the therapy room before the appointment ended.
Lauren told him the old braces had to be replaced immediately.
Victor smiled politely.
“Of course.”
On the drive home, his expression changed.
“What did you tell her?”
“The truth.”
“You don’t understand how accusations like that can destroy families.”
“You stole my braces.”
“I protected you from equipment that wasn’t properly approved.”
“She approved it.”
Victor pulled onto the shoulder and stopped the truck.
He leaned across the console.
“Listen carefully. Monday, you are going to sign the property documents. After that, you can move into the cottage, buy ten pairs of braces, and pretend you’re independent.”
“It’s already my property.”
“Not for long.”
Maya’s heart pounded.
Victor had stopped hiding his plan.
That evening, she used the emergency phone to call Denise Walker.
The lawyer answered after two rings.
Maya described the forged sale.
Denise told her not to sign anything.
She planned to contact Evan and file an emergency property notice.
But before Maya could provide the address, Victor entered the bedroom.
She ended the call and hid the phone.
He saw fear on her face.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
Victor searched the room.
He found Dr. Shaw’s card inside Maya’s shoe.
May you like
The next morning, he canceled every therapy appointment.
👉 Maya had finally reached an attorney, but Victor now knew she was preparing to expose him before the sale.
