“This is a private custody matter between my wife and my family, Doctor,” Julian said.

“You have no standing here.”

Eleanor went still.

Her eyes moved from the bassinet to Dr.

Thorne’s face, fixing on the deep lines around his mouth and the gray hair at his temples.

She patted the double strand of pearls at her throat three times in quick succession, her face draining of color under the bright fluorescent lights.

“Marcus?” Eleanor whispered, the word barely crossing the small space between them.

Julian turned his head toward his mother, frowning as he noticed her fingers trembling against her pearl necklace.