Chapter 4: The Grandmother's Secret Agreement
Darius read the message again.
Then a third time.
Brittany, please tell me you haven't told Darius what we agreed to do with Kayla...
His mother.
Margaret Mitchell.
The woman who had held Kayla in the hospital after Renee's death. The woman who had promised to help Darius raise his daughter. The woman who had cried at Renee's funeral and told everyone that Kayla was the last piece of her beloved daughter-in-law.
Darius looked at Officer Lewis.
“Can you open the conversation?””
Officer Lewis nodded.
“It's already been retrieved from the device. We're reviewing the available messages.””
Darius scrolled upward.
The conversation stretched back almost four months.
The first message was from Margaret.
I don't think you understand how difficult it will be to raise that child once you're married.
Brittany had replied:
I've tried. Darius won't let me discipline her.
Margaret:
He's always been too protective. Renee made him that way.
Darius's jaw tightened.
Then came another message.
Once you're married, things will be different. You'll be the woman of the house.
Brittany:
What about Kayla?
Margaret:
I'll take care of that.
Darius stopped scrolling.
“What does she mean by that?””
Officer Lewis didn't answer immediately.
He continued examining the conversation.
Then he found a message from three weeks earlier.
I've spoken to the family lawyer. There may be a way to arrange temporary guardianship if Darius agrees that he needs help raising Kayla.
Brittany:
He'll never agree.
Margaret:
He doesn't have to know every detail. Just tell him you're worried about the child's behavior. I'll speak to him afterward.
Darius felt his stomach turn.
His mother had been planning something behind his back.
He looked at Marcus.
“Call her.””
Marcus shook his head.
“Maybe we should let the officers handle this.””
“No. I want to hear her explain it.””
Officer Daniels stepped closer.
“Mr. Mitchell, please don't confront anyone or interfere with our investigation. If you contact your mother, keep the conversation calm. We'll document anything relevant.””
Darius nodded.
He pressed Margaret's number.
She answered after two rings.
“Darius, darling. How is the party going?””
He stared at the phone.
“Did you send Brittany a message about an agreement involving Kayla?””
Silence.
Then Margaret cleared her throat.
“What agreement?””
“The one where you planned to take my daughter after the wedding.””
Another silence.
“Oh, Darius. Don't be dramatic.””
His fingers tightened around the phone.
“I'm asking you a simple question.””
Margaret sighed.
“I was only trying to help.””
“Help with what?””
“With Kayla, obviously. You're working too much. Brittany is struggling to manage her. I thought it would be sensible for Kayla to spend some time with me.””
“Some time?””
“Perhaps a few months.””
Darius laughed in disbelief.
“You planned to take my daughter away from me?””
“Don't twist my words.””
“Then explain them!””
Margaret's voice became sharper.
“You're making a terrible mistake by allowing that child to control your life. You need to think about your future.””
“My future includes my daughter.””
“And what about Brittany? What about the family you're trying to build?””
Darius glanced toward the staircase.
“My daughter is my family.””
Margaret lowered her voice.
“Renee would have wanted you to move on.””
“Don't use Renee's name to justify this.””
“I'm telling you the truth.””
“No, Mother. You're telling me what you want me to believe.””
He ended the call.
Marcus stood beside him, shaking his head.
“I can't believe she did this.””
Darius looked at the officers.
“I want every message documented. And I want someone to investigate that proposed guardianship arrangement.””
Officer Daniels nodded.
“We'll include the information in our report.””
Meanwhile, upstairs, Evelyn was helping Kayla settle into the guest bedroom.
She had found an old stuffed elephant that Kayla used to sleep with when she was younger.
Kayla held it against her chest.
“Miss Evelyn?””
“Yes, sweetheart?””
“Is Grandma Margaret coming?””
Evelyn paused.
“Why do you ask?””
“Because Brittany said Grandma would take me away if I kept being difficult.””
Evelyn sat beside her.
“Has Grandma ever said that to you?””
Kayla shook her head.
“She used to be nice. But lately she doesn't hug me anymore.””
Evelyn gently smoothed the little girl's blanket.
“Whatever happens, you're not going anywhere without your daddy knowing.””
Kayla looked at her.
“Promise?””
“I promise you'll always have people who care about you.””
Downstairs, the officers were preparing to leave with Brittany's phone and other relevant evidence.
Brittany stood near the entrance, furious.
“Darius, this is ridiculous. Your mother was only discussing childcare.””
Darius looked at her.
“You planned to send my daughter away.””
“She needs stability!””
“She has stability. She has a home. She has a father who loves her.””
“And what about me?””
He stared at her.
“You're not the victim here.””
Brittany's eyes filled.
“I can't believe you're throwing away our future.””
“You threw it away yourself.””
She stepped closer.
“Listen to me. Margaret and I were trying to protect you. You don't see how unhealthy your attachment to Kayla has become.””
Marcus let out a disbelieving laugh.
“His attachment to his own child?””
Brittany ignored him.
“You can't build a marriage when every decision revolves around a six-year-old.””
Darius looked at her for several seconds.
Then he said something that made her go completely silent.
“There is no marriage. There is no wedding. And there will never be another day when you are alone with my daughter.””
Brittany's face changed.
“You can't keep me away forever.””
“Watch me.””
Officer Daniels stepped forward.
“Ma'am, we'll need you to accompany us for further questioning.””
Brittany looked at Darius one last time.
“You'll regret this.””
He didn't answer.
After the officers left, Marcus helped Darius cancel the remaining wedding arrangements.
The florist was understanding.
The photographer offered to refund the deposit.
The venue manager promised to return the unused decorations.
None of it mattered.
Darius only wanted to see his daughter.
He climbed the stairs and entered the guest bedroom.
Kayla was sitting beside Evelyn, carefully arranging the photograph of her mother on the bedside table.
When she saw him, she smiled.
“Daddy, I made Mommy a little space.””
Darius sat beside her.
“That's beautiful, sweetheart.””
“Can she stay here?””
He kissed her forehead.
“She can stay wherever you want her picture.””
Kayla nodded.
Then she hesitated.
“Daddy?””
“Yes?””
“Are you mad at Grandma?””
Darius wasn't prepared for the question.
He looked at his daughter.
“Why?””
“Because Brittany said Grandma doesn't like me anymore.””
Darius felt his chest tighten.
He took Kayla's small hands in his.
“Listen to me. Adults sometimes make bad decisions. But none of that is your fault.””
“Did I do something wrong?””
“No, baby.””
“Then why did they want me to leave?””
Darius pulled her into his arms.
He had no answer that a six-year-old should ever have to hear.
But before he could speak, Marcus appeared in the doorway.
His phone was pressed against his ear.
“Darius,” he said quietly.
“You need to come downstairs.””
“What happened?””
Marcus looked toward Kayla.
Then he lowered his voice.
May you like
“Your mother is here.””
And she hadn't come alone.
