“I believe you, Grace,” Marcus replied. “But on paper, it has your signature. In the eyes of a family court judge on a frantic afternoon, that is a red flag they cannot ignore.”

Melanie shrank back against the drywall, her face pale.

“I didn’t know she was going to change the documents,” Melanie whispered. “I swear, Leo, I didn’t know she would go that far.”

Leo ignored his sister, keeping his eyes on the phone. “How did she even get her hands on that file, Marcus?”

“Vance has connections in the county administration,” Marcus said. “And your mother has been planning this since Sam was born.”

“When is the hearing?” Leo asked.

“Tomorrow morning at nine o’clock,” Marcus said. “Judge Archer’s chambers. We don’t have much time to build a defense.”

The door to my room swung open with a heavy click.

Dr. Sarah Chen walked in, carrying a clipboard.

Her face was neutral, but her eyes were kind.

“The toxicology results are back from the lab,” Dr. Chen said, looking at me.

I held my breath, my fingers digging into the stiff hospital sheet.