The plastic made a sharp click on the fake wood grain.

Patrick had planned every single moment we ever shared.

He pressured me to quit my hospital job because he had to cut me off from anybody who might ask legal questions.

He locked his home office cabinet on Tuesday mornings because that was the day his debt notices arrived.

“He bought me,” I said flatly.

Arthur took off his glasses and wiped them with a small microfiber cloth.

“We need the original hospital log to prove your parentage in court,” he said.