The final stroke on my last name curved upward.
Mine always cut straight across because of an old injury in my writing hand.
“I did not sign that.”
Jessica began shaking her head.
“Mom said you would agree.
She said you were being stubborn because of the hormones.”
My mother turned on her.
“Do not start blaming me.”
That was the first fracture between them.
Major Brooks placed another document beside the false consent form.
It was a statement from the attorney confirming that Jessica had represented herself as Xavier’s intended guardian before his birth.
She had claimed I was voluntarily surrendering custody because military service made parenting impossible.
The attorney had stopped preparing the filing when Jessica could not arrange a video call with me.
Instead of abandoning the plan, Jessica and my mother had assembled their own petition using altered forms and the forged medical declaration.
They had planned to obtain my signature while I was medicated, exhausted, and afraid.
My mother folded her arms.
“You’re twisting this into something ugly.
We came here because Maya needs help.”
“You came with documents that falsely described me as mentally ill,” I said.
“Because you are not thinking clearly.
Look at what you’re doing to your sister.”
There it was.
Not what they were doing to me.
What I was doing to Jessica by refusing to hand over my child.
My mother pointed at Xavier.
“She may never have another chance.
You can have more children.”
The nurse stopped typing.
Andrea’s expression changed from professional concern to disbelief.
Even Jessica looked startled by the bluntness of it.
I did not shout.
I did not cry.
I pressed Xavier closer and said, “He is not replaceable.”
My mother’s face hardened.
“Then I will call your commander myself.”
Major Brooks removed her phone.
“I advise Captain Hale’s command.
Her commander has already received copies of your messages, the forged declaration, and the hospital incident report.
You are free to make a statement.
You should understand that knowingly submitting another false allegation may become additional evidence.”
My mother’s confidence finally slipped.
Jessica whispered, “You told me command would take her side because they don’t want single mothers.”
My mother glared at her.
“Be quiet.”
“You said once they questioned her fitness, the hospital would release Xavier to us.”
“Jessica.”
“You said she would thank us after she calmed down.”
My mother lunged for her arm.
Security intervened before she reached her.
The movement frightened Xavier.
He woke with a thin cry, and the room’s attention shifted instantly toward him.
I rocked him against my shoulder.
“It’s alright,” I whispered.
“You’re safe.”
My mother watched me soothe him, but there was no softness in her expression.
