Richard grabbed the deed.
“You had no authority to record this without telling me.”
Daniel’s voice remained level.
“You executed an unconditional transfer.
The recording instructions were already authorized.”
“I’ll revoke it.”
“You can contest it.”
Richard looked almost relieved.
Then Daniel added, “But you cannot simply revoke a completed deed because you regret signing it.”
Celeste moved away from the bed as if distance might protect her from the conversation.
“This is ridiculous,” she said.
“We’re moving in today.”
“No,” I said.
Everyone looked at me.
My voice was quiet, but for the first time since entering the room, Celeste did not smile.
“You are not moving into my house.”
Her mouth opened.
Richard slammed the deed onto the table.
“Your house?”
“Yes.”
“You think a piece of paper changes who built that life?”
“A piece of paper was important enough when you wanted me to sign away my newborn sons.”
The room went still.
Daniel glanced at the custody agreement.
“May I?”
I nodded.
He picked it up and began reading.
Richard stepped forward.
“That is privileged.”
“Not when you hand it directly to my client and demand her signature.”
Daniel read silently for another few seconds.
Then his expression hardened.
“This document purports to give Mr.
Huntsley immediate physical custody while Mrs.
Huntsley is hospitalized.”
“It’s temporary,” Richard said.
“Based on what emergency?”
“My wife is medically compromised.”
I stared at him.
Daniel did too.
“She gave birth yesterday.”
“Exactly.”
Daniel set the agreement down.
“Recovery from childbirth is not parental unfitness.”
Richard’s composure finally cracked.
“You don’t know what happens inside my family.”
“No,” Daniel said.
“But the hospital staff may know what happened inside this room.”
Vanessa, who had been silent since Daniel entered, straightened.
Her eyes moved toward the empty coffee cup.
Richard noticed.
For the first time, he seemed to remember why my gown was stained.
He turned toward me.
“Maya, don’t exaggerate a stupid accident.”
“It wasn’t an accident.”
Vanessa scoffed.
