“She planned to petition for guardianship,” Claire said. “She was already preparing to claim I was unstable.”
Ryan staggered back.
“No. No, she only wanted a birthday party. That’s all.”
Claire’s eyes flashed.
“She wanted you away from your phone. She wanted me alone. She wanted the baby delivered without me surviving to challenge her.”
Ryan shook his head as tears streamed down his face.
“That can’t be true.”
Before anyone could respond, the door opened.
A military police officer stepped inside.
“General,” he said, “Evelyn Ashford has arrived at the hospital.”
Ryan turned sharply.
“My mother is here?”
The officer nodded.
“She’s demanding access to the newborn.”
Claire closed her eyes.
General Bennett’s face became dangerously still.
Then the officer added the sentence that changed everything.
“She brought a court order.”
Ryan stared at Claire.
Claire stared back at him.
