Chapter 4: The Signature I Never Gave
“I didn’t sign this.”
Patrick tapped the final page.
“That is your signature.”
“It looks like mine.
It isn’t mine.”
A court officer entered through the side door and handed Helen a sealed packet.
She read the first page, then looked at Gavin.
“What is it?” I asked.
Patrick answered for her.
“It’s an emergency petition confirming my authority until a competency hearing can be held.”
“You filed to have me declared incompetent?”
“I filed to protect my wife and unborn child from people exploiting her confusion.”
“You planned this before Gavin entered the courtroom.”
Patrick’s attorney stood.
“Mrs.
Hale has recently displayed anxiety, memory problems, and irrational suspicion.
Her physician has documented it.”
“My physician?”
“Dr.
Marcus Vane,” Patrick said.
“The doctor you trusted.”
My knees weakened, and I caught the edge of the table.
Patrick lowered his voice.
“Your husband and your doctor agree that you cannot manage your own affairs.
Who will a court believe, Serena?”
Gavin reached for me, but I pulled away.
“Don’t,” I said.
“I don’t know you well enough to lean on you.”
His hand dropped.
“You’re right.”
Judge Lawson read the temporary order.
“The trust cannot transfer funds until the competency petition is reviewed.
No party may dispose of the disputed assets.”
Patrick’s smile returned.
“So the money stays frozen,” he said.
“And Serena remains under my medical authority.”
“Only until tomorrow’s hearing,” Helen replied.
“A day is a long time when someone is about to give birth.”
I stared at him.
“What have you done?”
“Protected my rights as a father.”
“You called our baby a b*stard when you thought I was poor.”
Patrick’s jaw tightened.
“Be careful what you repeat without a recording.”
The word recording made Chloe look toward the floor.
Gavin noticed.
“Chloe,” he said, “what are you afraid he’ll find?”
“Nothing,” she whispered.
Patrick stepped between us.
“She has nothing to say.”
Judge Lawson ordered a recess while Helen challenged the petition.
Gavin led me into a consultation room, but I stayed beside the door.
“Tell me the truth,” I said.
“How long did you look for me?”
Gavin gripped the head of his cane.
“Six years.”
“And then?”
“I stopped.”
The answer struck harder than any excuse.
“I spent twenty-four years waiting for someone,” I said.
“You stopped after six.”
“I was shown medical records, a burial certificate, and photographs.
I believed them.”
“You believed paper over your child?”
“Yes.” His voice broke.
“And that failure belongs to me, not to you.”
I pressed both hands against my belly as tears blurred the room.
“I needed a father before I had money.”
Gavin moved no closer.
“Then forget the money,” he said.
“Let me earn the right to be your father one honest day at a time.”
The door opened.
Patrick stood there holding another court filing.
May you like
“If you challenge my authority,” he said, “I’ll ask for emergency custody the moment that baby is born.”
Behind him, Chloe silently slid a small silver phone beneath the consultation-room door.
