Nothing would return to normal.
Not after four days.
Not after three names chosen in his absence.
“Where are they now?” he asked.
“Grace and Lily were transferred yesterday to a private neonatal recovery facility arranged by Mrs. Carter’s family physician. Hope remains under specialized observation, but she is no longer in this hospital.”
Mark lifted his head.
“What do you mean arranged? By who?”
“Mrs. Carter authorized the transfer.”
“To where?”
Dr. Patel’s expression became guarded.
“I can’t disclose that.”
“I’m their father.”
“And Mrs. Carter is their mother. She is the parent who remained present, signed the consent forms, made medical decisions, and coordinated follow-up care when no other approved contact was available.”
The words were not cruel.
That made them worse.
Mark stood up suddenly. The chair scraped the floor.
“She can’t just take my children and disappear.”
Dr. Patel rose too, not intimidated.
