Chapter 10 - The Forged Signature
Damon ran to Noah's room. Two staff members stood at the door discussing a transfer order that listed a children's specialty center no one had requested.
Noah’s hospital bracelet slipped around his thin wrist. Damon touched it with one finger and remembered cutting the cord at the delivery, when a doctor had told him the baby was stronger than anyone expected. Strength should never have been a requirement for someone so small.
"That's not my signature," Damon said, pointing at the paperwork.
The charge nurse checked his identification and called hospital security. Within minutes, the transfer was canceled and restricted access was placed on Noah's chart. Damon thanked her twice, his voice shaking.
Maya sat beside Noah's bed. "You're safe here," she whispered to him, then looked up. "For tonight."
"I hate those last two words."
"Then let's make tomorrow different."
Tessa arranged official protection for the child and a secure way to share evidence. Damon gave her Hannah's video and Celeste's message, along with a list of everyone who'd handled Noah's feeding supplies.
At midnight, Celeste called from a police interview room.
"Damon, I need to tell you why I agreed to help them."
He looked at his sleeping son. "Go ahead."
"My brother was being treated at an Aster clinic. Cross threatened to stop his care. I was desperate. I thought if I stayed close to you, I could steer things away from Noah."
"You could've warned me."
"I know. I made the wrong choice every day for six months."
For a moment, neither spoke.
"I didn't love you for a job," she said quietly. "That part was real."
Damon closed his eyes. "That doesn't make what you did smaller."
"I know. I gave Tessa my accounts and the recordings. They'll prove I was there when Warren explained the plan."
"Why would he target his own family?"
Celeste inhaled shakily. "Because Noah carries a gene Aster is trying to patent a therapy around. Hannah refused to sign. And Warren had already promised Cross access."
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Damon stared at the little boy's fist resting on his blanket.
"There's one more thing," Celeste said. "Warren isn't your biological uncle."
