“She told him I abandoned him. She blocked my letters. Returned gifts. Changed numbers. Every attempt I made to remain in his life disappeared before it reached him.”
I looked at my sleeping baby.
“Then why did Julian act like he barely knew you?”
Marcus gave a sad smile.
“He knew exactly who I was.”
“Then why did you cry when you saw my son?”
His eyes moved toward the bassinet.
“Because he has the same small birthmark Julian had as a baby.”
He paused.
“And I had it too.”
I looked down at my son.
Marcus swallowed.
“I realized I was looking at my grandson.”
The next morning, Julian returned.
This time he brought two lawyers.
Eleanor came with him dressed entirely in black.
One attorney placed documents on the tray beside my bed.
“Ms. Brooks, given your current financial circumstances, voluntarily signing temporary custody would likely reflect better if this reaches court.”
I lifted my son into my arms.
“You mean better than using hospital bills to pressure me?” Hospitals& Treatment Centers
Julian laughed.
“You don’t have a case.”
The door opened.
My attorney, Chloe Park, walked in wearing a gray suit.
Behind her were two hospital administrators.
And a detective.
Chloe placed a tablet on the table.
“Actually, Vivian has several issues worth discussing.”
Julian stopped smiling.
Chloe began reading.
“Possible financial coercion. Unauthorized insurance changes. Defamatory statements. Questionable charitable transfers. Attempts to influence custody negotiations through financial pressure.”
Eleanor’s expression tightened.
“These are private communications.”
The detective looked at her.
“Private messages can still become evidence.”
Julian pointed toward me.
“She stole company records.”
“No,” I said calmly. “I preserved financial documents I legally had access to during the marriage, along with records involving my own insurance and signature.”
Chloe nodded.
“She documented everything carefully.”
For the first time since he entered the hospital, Julian looked uncertain. Hospitals& Treatment Centers
Marcus stepped forward.
“I’ll also be providing a statement regarding what occurred here yesterday.”
Julian laughed bitterly.
