I ran my index finger over the dark printed lines, feeling the cold counter under the page.

“This paragraph waives our right to request audits of her past medical records,” I said, looking up to meet his eyes.

Daniel didn’t flinch, but his relaxed shoulders went instantly stiff.

“It prevents unnecessary legal delays with our insurance company,” he said, quickly and smoothly.

“If we start asking for formal record audits from five weeks ago, the insurer will put our current claim on hold, and Grace’s surgery on Thursday could get delayed while their legal team does an internal review.”

“Dr.