Chapter 4

4: 4

The doctor explained,

"Ms. Bailey just called. She says the visiting specialist's plan carries too much risk, and she won't consent to the surgery."

"She's already signed the discharge agreement and the surgical refusal form, and she wants the current treatment plan stopped immediately."

"She says she'll arrange for the child to be moved to another hospital."

I staggered back a step.

"I'm the child's father, and I do not consent to a discharge! She can't be moved right now. You can't send her away!"

I gripped the bed rail with everything I had.

"She can't be transferred."

"Please, I'm begging you, don't move her. The specialist is on his way. Just a few more hours and she has a chance."

The doctor looked at Wallis's steadily weakening vitals, his face grave.

"Mr. James, we understand how you feel."

"But we can't do what you're asking."

He explained, his voice low,

"Ms. Bailey has just submitted proof of parentage and a written refusal of surgery, and she's signed on as the child's primary guardian."

"An outside specialist's surgery doesn't count as emergency lifesaving care. When the two guardians disagree, we have no authority to force it through. We can only maintain basic resuscitation, or process the transfer under the papers she signed."

Something roared in my head.

"She isn't Wallis's mother! Her signature means nothing!"

The doctor froze.

"What?"

"She isn't! I can prove to you she isn't!"

I stayed planted over the bed, fumbling for my phone, calling Vivian's number over and over.

After more than a dozen tries, she finally picked up, applause filling the background.

"Carter, I'm at Ivan's inauguration ceremony. Whatever it is, it'll have to wait."

I forced the hatred down.

"I'll agree to hand the position and the project over to Ivan."

The line went silent at once.

"Really?"

"But first you sign the divorce agreement I sent you, withdraw the refusal of treatment, and give me the authority to decide Wallis's care."

Vivian turned wary immediately.

"I won't sign a divorce agreement. I'm not gambling with our marriage over a fit of temper."

I softened my voice.

"I'm just upset, that's all. I want you to prove you still care about me."

"Sign it, and we start over. You make it up to me properly, show me that I and the child actually matter to you."

She was still hesitating.

I added coldly,

"If you don't sign, I hand the contract to the rival firm right now."

"The project's gone, and Ivan's inauguration turns into a joke. Vivian, it's your choice."

At last Vivian sighed.

"Fine, I understand. But dragging divorce into this really is going too far this time."

A few minutes later, I received her signed divorce agreement and treatment authorization.

She sent a message with it,

【Happy now? I'll go to the hospital soon to look after the child. Find time to hand the project over to Ivan.】

Vivian clearly hadn't read it carefully again.

The agreement stated it plainly: after the divorce, the child, the house, and my project all belonged to me.

I contacted my lawyer and the property management at once.

"Change the smart lock code, and revoke Vivian's building access."

"My mother and Neil aren't on the property title. Have security ask them to leave immediately. Pack up everything and send it to the Swanson house."

"They loved treating that place like Ivan's home, didn't they?"

"Pity. From now on, no one gets in."

Then I called a broker and listed the house below market.

The doctor finished his call and came over, his face heavy.

"After the specialist got the cancellation notice, he turned back. There's no time for him to come again."

"The only option now is to send the child to a hospital in her home state right away."

I nodded without hesitation.

"Transfer her. We go now."

When the transport plane took off, Vivian was still pushing me to sign the project over.

I sent the contract and all the files straight to the rival firm.

They replied quickly,

【Happy to take over immediately. Terms unchanged.】

I pressed confirm.

Vivian wanted to take everything I'd poured myself into and use it to pave the way for Ivan.

Then I'd rather hand it to her competitor.

The plane cut into the clouds.

I held Wallis's cold little hand tight and switched off my phone.