Mason’s lips parted. A shallow breath escaped.
Claire’s knees gave out, and Ethan caught her just in time. Dr. Thompson leaned closer to the monitor, searching for an explanation her training couldn’t immediately provide.
“What did you do?” Dr. Ruiz asked, not harshly, but urgently.
The girl opened her eyes slowly, still looking at the baby.
“He was too tired,” she said softly. “He’s carrying something that isn’t his.”
Ethan stared at her. “What are you talking about? My son has everything he needs.”
She looked at him, her expression gentle but firm.
“He has comfort,” she said. “But not truth.”
Dr. Thompson crossed her arms. “If you know something about his condition, we need specifics.”
The girl shook her head. “It’s not in the medical records,” she said. “It’s in his story.”
The monitor steadied briefly, then wavered again.
She kept one hand on Mason’s chest and reached the other toward Ethan.
“If you want him to stay,” she said quietly, “you have to tell the truth.”
A cold sensation ran through Ethan.
Claire looked at him—and in her eyes, there was recognition.
They both knew.