“This clause allows the trustee, upon evidence of endangerment, to immediately freeze all parental rights of the non-lineal spouse.”

“I have the authority to execute it,” Margaret said, her eyes burning with a quiet intensity. “But I need your co-signature as the primary beneficiary.”

“Sign it,” I said, reaching for the pen she held out.

My hand shook so violently I could barely grip the silver metal.

I pressed the tip of the pen to the signature line at the bottom of the page.

The ink dragged across the heavy paper, leaving a jagged, dark signature.

“It is done,” Margaret said, taking the document and instantly scanning it with her phone.

“I am sending this directly to the hospital’s chief of security and the general counsel,” she said.

“They are legally obligated to lock down the elevators immediately.”

Outside, the siren continued to wail, a deafening sound that echoed through the ventilation shafts.

I could hear the frantic shouting of nurses down the hall.

“They are at the service elevators!” a voice yelled from the corridor.

I didn’t wait for Margaret.