Contents
Chapter 39
Overview
Naomi, terrified that Veronica is alone with Teddy, violates the protection order and tries to bluff her way into taking him during Jeremy’s trip. When Veronica moves to call Jeremy, Naomi panics and hits her with a rock, knocking her out. The desperate act catastrophically escalates Naomi’s legal and custody risks.
Summary
Naomi waits until late afternoon, assuming Jeremy has left on his business trip, and takes an Uber to retrieve her car near their old house. Driving by, she sees Veronica’s car and no sign of Rosita, concluding Teddy is home alone with Veronica.
Fearing Veronica’s influence and desperate to see Teddy, Naomi devises a plan to claim Jeremy authorized her to pick him up. To justify her presence if questioned, she grabs a large stone from the walkway as a supposed toy Teddy “forgot.”
Veronica answers the door, skeptical of Naomi’s story. Naomi presses that Jeremy approved the handoff and tries to step inside, but Veronica blocks her and reaches for her phone to call Jeremy, which would expose Naomi’s lie and her violation of the temporary protection order.
Panicking over the legal and custody consequences if Jeremy is alerted, Naomi follows Veronica into the living room. As Veronica prepares to call, Naomi raises the stone and strikes Veronica on the head, knocking her unconscious. Naomi is immediately horrified by what she has done.
Who Appears
- NaomiDesperate mother who violates a protection order, lies to retrieve Teddy, and knocks Veronica unconscious with a rock.
- VeronicaJeremy’s girlfriend, home alone with Teddy; becomes suspicious and is struck unconscious when she tries to call Jeremy.
- JeremyAway on a business trip; his expected call would expose Naomi’s lie and escalate her legal jeopardy.
- TeddyNaomi’s son, presumed at home with Veronica and the reason for Naomi’s risky attempt.
- EzraNaomi’s lawyer, previously warned her not to do anything foolish; his advice is ignored.