Chapter 6 - THE SIGNATURE
The emergency guardianship form lay on the same kind of clipboard Luke used for coloring in waiting rooms.
Madeline placed it between Brandon and me.
“Sign, and he receives treatment.”
Rebecca Sloan objected.
Madeline’s attorney said the research center owned the only personalized protocol.
Dr. Reed could attempt standard treatment, but the risk was higher.
Luke slept behind the glass, small beneath white blankets.
I looked at Brandon.
He looked broken.
“We sign temporarily,” he whispered.
“No.”
“He could die.”
“And she will take him.”
“We can fight afterward.”
Madeline heard.
“There will be no afterward.”
She wanted permanent medical and custodial authority.
The document also contained a nondisclosure clause.
We could not discuss the research, the genetic substitution, or the other children.
Luke’s life in exchange for silence.
Exactly how the system survived for years.
Dr. Reed entered with Nurse Priya and a new cardiologist, Dr. Samuel Brooks.
They had reconstructed part of Luke’s treatment from blood samples and research publications.
They believed they could stabilize him without Madeline’s protocol.
The risk remained.
But choice returned.
Madeline’s confidence cracked.
“You’ll kill him with guesses.”
Dr. Brooks looked at her.
“Then release the records.”
“They are proprietary.”
“He is a child.”
“He is a subject.”
Everyone heard it.
Madeline realized her mistake too late.
Rebecca Sloan recorded the statement.
The court suspended her emergency petition pending investigation.
Treatment began.
Luke’s rhythm improved slowly.
Brandon sat beside him through the night.
At dawn, Luke opened his eyes.
“Did Grandma leave?”
“Yes,” Brandon said.
“Forever?”
Brandon looked at me.
“As long as you want.”
Luke thought about that.
Then he asked, “Am I still your son?”
Brandon’s face collapsed.
He took Luke’s hand.
“You are my son because I choose you every day.”
I turned away so Luke would not see me cry.
Then Detective Ortiz entered.
Rebecca Carter and Noah had been found.
Rebecca was injured.
Noah was alive.
But Henry had taken them to Judge Cole’s estate before police arrived.
The judge claimed they were voluntary guests.
A private ambulance prepared to transfer Noah.
May you like
The destination was our hospital.
Henry wanted both boys together after all.
