“So what can I do?”
“You can petition for shared custody or visitation once the children’s medical status is clear. But the court will consider the circumstances.”
“What circumstances?”
Peter looked at him over his glasses.
“The fact that you were unreachable during a life-threatening delivery.”
Mark’s mouth tightened.
“I made a mistake.”
“The court will hear that. The question is whether your wife has documentation showing a pattern.”
Mark thought of the notebook.
The appointments he had missed.
The texts he had dismissed.
The way he had said, I can’t drop everything every time you’re scared.
Peter continued, “Does she?”
Mark looked down.
“I don’t know.”
But he did.
By the end of the appointment, Peter had advised patience, documentation, and no aggressive action.
“Do not accuse her of kidnapping,” the attorney said. “Do not show up at relatives’ homes. Do not send angry messages. If you want any chance of rebuilding trust, you need to appear stable, honest, and child-focused.”
