Dr. Shah looked at me, his expression softening.

“Is this what you want, Claire?” he asked.

“I have to go, Doctor,” I said.

“My children’s future depends on it.”

Dr. Shah sighed and tapped his pen against the clipboard.

“I can write a temporary medical release,” he said.

“But you must return here immediately after the hearing.”

“And you must stay in a wheelchair during the proceedings.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Daniel said.

Dr. Shah nodded, adjusted the drip on my IV, and left the room.

The silence returned, heavier this time.

The rain outside seemed to be picking up, drumming against the window pane.

I looked at the clock on the wall. It was already seven o’clock in the evening.

“Ruth should be at the estate by now,” I said, looking at the phone on the table.

“It takes twenty minutes to get there in this weather,” Daniel said, checking his own watch.

“She will call us as soon as she has the documents.”

He stood up and began pacing the room again.

Every few seconds, his eyes would dart to his phone, waiting for it to light up.