“Claire, you can’t,” he said, his voice shaking.

“You are too weak.”

“I am their mother, Daniel,” I said, looking up into his eyes.

“I am not staying in this bed while they drag my children away.”

Dr. Shah walked into the room, his brow furrowed as he saw me standing.

“What is happening here?” the doctor asked, crossing his arms.

“She has to leave, Doctor,” Daniel said, his voice turning commanding.

“It is a family emergency.”

“Her vitals are barely stable,” Dr. Shah replied.

“I cannot recommend this.”

“I will sign the discharge papers myself,” Daniel said, already reaching for my coat.

He helped me slide my arms into the sleeves.

Every movement felt like moving through water, but the adrenaline kept me upright.

“Ruth is on her way to the courthouse,” Daniel whispered to me.

“She slipped out through the service entrance with the letters.”

“The letters Evelyn left in the nursery wall.”

My heart pounded against my ribs.

“Will they be enough?” I asked.

“They have to be,” Daniel said.

We bypassed the main lobby, taking the service elevator to the basement exit.