Chapter 13 - The Response That Closed The Book Forever
I didn't call Victor, nor did I send an email or arrange a video conference for my daughters.
Instead, I handed the handwritten letter to my legal representative in London, along with a short, simple instruction.
Three days later, a formal legal response arrived at Victor’s small apartment in Arlington, Virginia.
Victor opened the door, taking the courier envelope with trembling hands, praying for a ray of hope from the woman he had wronged.
Inside was a single sheet of heavy cream cardstock from the Vance Legal Group, signed by my senior partner.
“Mr. Reynolds,” the letter read.
“We are in receipt of your correspondence dated November 14th.”
“Please be advised that under the terms of the international custody agreement signed by you on May 12th, full legal authority rests exclusively with Ms. Penelope Vance.”
“Abigail and Charlotte Vance are currently thriving in their new environment, attending top-tier educational institutions, and building a secure future.”
“Ms. Vance has evaluated your request and determined that initiating contact would cause unnecessary emotional distress to the children.”
“Your request for video visitation is hereby formally denied.”
“Do not attempt to contact Ms. Vance or her children at her residence, her business, or her educational institutions.”
“Any further unsolicited correspondence will be treated as harassment under international law.”
Victor dropped the single sheet of paper onto his small kitchen table, sitting down in the dark as tears spilled over his face.
He looked at the small plastic frame sitting beside his microwave—a photo of Abigail and Charlotte taken three years ago at the beach.
May you like
He reached out his hand to touch the glass, but his fingers stopped inches short.
He was a stranger to them now—a ghost from a past life they had left behind on another continent.
