“He knows that if he can prove I am unfit, the court will appoint him as the temporary guardian of the estate.”

“Can he do that?” I asked, looking from Daniel to Ruth.

“He has a team of corporate lawyers, Claire,” Daniel said, stopping by the window.

He looked out into the grey afternoon rain that was streaking the glass.

“And right now, I look like a father who has been absent, leaving his children in the care of a sick employee.”

“They have listed your medical records here,” Ruth said, pointing to a section in the papers.

“How did they get my medical records?” I asked, my hand flying to my collarbone.

“My uncle has connections everywhere,” Daniel said, his face dark.

“He has people on the board of this very hospital.”

I looked down at my hands, thin and pale against the white hospital blanket.

I felt so weak, so utterly helpless in this high bed with tubes running into my arm.

“They are going to take Lucas and Owen,” I said, a cold dread settling in my stomach.

“I can’t let them do that, Daniel.”