The next morning, Julian returned with two lawyers.

Eleanor came dressed in black, like she was attending my funeral.

Their lawyer set papers on my tray. “Ms. Brooks, given your unstable financial condition, we suggest you sign voluntarily. It’ll look better in court.”

I lifted my son into my arms.

“You mean better than extortion?”

Julian laughed. “You have no case.”

The door opened.

My attorney, Chloe Park, walked in wearing a gray suit and the kind of calm that ruins powerful men.

Behind her came two hospital administrators and a police detective.