“That includes you.”
Ethan’s face hardened.
“I am their father.”
“And you filed a petition this morning asking for custody to be determined while your children were still in intensive care,” Mr.
Bellamy said.
“Your legal status as their father remains unchanged.
Your access to their inheritance does not exist.”
Grace watched Ethan’s eyes move toward the bedside drawer containing the divorce papers.
She could almost see him recalculating every line.
He bent, picked up his pen, and slipped it into his jacket.
“This conversation is premature.
Grace is medicated, recovering from major surgery, and in no condition to accept a fiduciary appointment.”
The nurse stood immediately.
“She is alert, oriented, and medically capable of making decisions.”
Ethan ignored her.
“My attorneys will review the documents.”
“They may review certified copies,” Mr.
Bellamy said.
“They will not take the originals.”
Ethan stepped closer to the folder.
Mr.
Bellamy placed his palm over it.
The movement was quiet, but the warning was unmistakable.
Grace looked through the glass.
Noah’s oxygen numbers had improved by two points.
Ava slept without moving.
Lily’s small face was red from crying while a nurse adjusted her blanket.
Grace turned back to Ethan.
“You said this wasn’t about the babies.”
His expression shifted.
“That was before I understood the circumstances.”
The sentence landed harder than the divorce papers.
Grace had spent years making excuses for him.
Ethan had missed dinners because a merger was collapsing.
He had forgotten appointments because investors needed him.
He had criticized her clothes, friends, and charitable work because appearances affected the company.
Each injury arrived wrapped in a business reason.
But there was no business reason for what he had just said.
Before the trust, the babies had not mattered enough to delay his divorce.
After the trust, the circumstances had changed.
Grace reached for the cream-colored envelope and handed it to Mr.
Bellamy.
“Please keep this with the trust records.”
Ethan’s jaw flexed.
“You should speak to independent counsel before turning this into a war.”
“I agree,” Grace said.
He had expected anger.
Her agreement disoriented him.
Mr.
Bellamy removed a clear evidence sleeve from his case and placed the divorce petition and typed note inside it.
He asked the nurse whether she would write down when the envelope arrived, who delivered it, and Grace’s condition at the time.
“I’ll document everything,” the nurse said.
Ethan looked at her name badge for the first time.
She covered it with her hand.
“No,” she said.
“You don’t get to intimidate me, either.”
