The ultimate, unspoken goal was a meticulously orchestrated psychological campaign to force a divorce, establish my alleged “mental instability” due to the hormonal stress of pregnancy, and thus make my unborn child legally vulnerable to her custody claims.

The moment of clarity came on a cold, restless night. I was downstairs grabbing a glass of water when I overheard Margaret’s voice—sharp, cold, and utterly lacking in human emotion—on a private phone call. I froze in the shadow of the pantry door.