I had just given birth when my husband looked me in the eye and said, “Take the bus home. I’m taking my family to hotpot.” Two hours later, his voice was shaking on the phone: “Claire… what did you do? Everything is gone.”

just calm down and talk.”

I was sitting fully upright now, the pillows propped behind me. My son was wrapped securely in a soft blue hospital blanket, resting against my shoulder. I intentionally slouched slightly, allowing myself to look weaker and more fragile than the adrenaline coursing through my veins made me feel. It was a useful optic.

“You abandoned me,” I stated, the accusation hanging heavy in the sterile air.

“I panicked!” Daniel pleaded, his hands raised in surrender. “Mom pressured me into going! You know how she gets.”

Elaine instantly snapped, her survival instinct overriding maternal loyalty. “Do not dare blame me for your spineless behavior, Daniel!”

Martin bypassed the family drama, striding into the room and slapping a thick, black leather portfolio onto the rolling tray table. “Let’s keep this incredibly efficient. We have a lot of ground to cover.”

Daniel stared at the towering stack of