I fund this hospital! I’ll have you fired!”

“You have no money left, Mother,” I said softly from the bed.

My voice wasn’t loud, but she stopped instantly. She turned and glared at me — and found there was nothing left she could do to me.

Reginald looked back over his shoulder as the guard steered him toward the door, tears sliding down his face, and tried one last time to reach me.

“Florence, please!” he cried. “We’re your family! Your mother and father! You can’t do this to us! Think of your brother — think of Raymond!”

I looked down at Kirk, asleep and safe, oblivious to the grandparents who’d refused him. I felt Alistair beside me, steady as a wall.