Ryan turned slowly.
I expected him to snap. Instead, he smiled.
It was worse.
“Mr. Dawson. I appreciate your assistance, but you can stop auditioning for sainthood.”
Eli looked at him over the coffee cup.
“I’m not auditioning. I’m still here because she asked me to be.”
“She is vulnerable.”
“Yes,” Eli said. “That’s why people who care about her should be careful with their words.”
Ryan’s jaw flexed.
Priya stood.
“Mr. Mercer, Claire will not be discharging to the marital residence at this time. Temporary arrangements are being made. Any custody or visitation discussion will occur through counsel after she and the baby are medically cleared.”
Ryan stared at me.
“You’re taking my daughter away?”
“My daughter is two days old,” I said. “And you have spent most of her life punishing me for who witnessed her birth.”
“That’s not fair.”
I almost laughed.
