Her free hand cracked across my face.
The impact rang in my ears. My head hit the pillow rail. I tasted blood.
“Ungrateful little gold digger!” she hissed, yanking Leo halfway out of the bassinet as he screamed. “I’m his grandmother. I decide what’s best!”
That was the moment the quiet wife disappeared.
I slammed my palm onto the red button beside my bed.
CODE GRAY / SECURITY.
Alarms pierced the hallway. Within seconds, four hospital security officers rushed in, led by Chief Mike Reynolds, taser drawn.
Margaret instantly burst into theatrical sobs.
“Help! She’s having postpartum psychosis! She tried to hurt the baby!”
Mike looked at me — blood on my lip, IV line stretched tight. Then he looked at Margaret clutching my crying newborn.
“Ma’am, step away from the bed,” he ordered cautiously.
“She’s dangerous!” Margaret shrieked. “Restrain her!”
His hand hovered near his taser.
Then his eyes locked onto mine.
He froze.
Recognition dawned.
His face drained of color.
“Judge… Brooks-Vance?” he said quietly.
Margaret blinked. “Judge? What are you talking about? She doesn’t even work.”
Mike straightened immediately. “Lower your weapons,” he told his team.
He removed his cap.
“Your Honor,” he said respectfully. “Are you all right?”
I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t cry.
I simply pointed toward the ceiling corner.
“The security camera is recording, correct, Chief Reynolds?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“This woman assaulted me. She struck me in the face, attempted to remove my child from this room, and is currently making false statements to hospital security.”
Margaret’s expression crumpled.
“No— that’s ridiculous! She’s lying! Mark told me she freelances! She doesn’t even have a real job!”
“I sentence organized crime leaders and federal offenders,” I replied calmly. “I keep a low profile for security reasons. Clearly, that discretion was justified.”
Mike turned to Margaret, his posture shifting from cautious to authoritative.
“Ma’am, you are being detained for assault and attempted kidnapping.”
“You can’t arrest me! My son is an attorney!” she shrieked.
I met her eyes evenly.
“I preside over a federal courtroom,” I said. “I understand the law better than your son.”
Plastic restraints clicked around her wrists.
Just then, Mark rushed into the room, pale and breathless.
“Mom? Elena? What’s happening?”
“She tried to take Leo,” I said.
Mark avoided my gaze.
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