Daniel stopped.
Silas leaned forward.
“What happened?”
Daniel’s gaze moved to the next line.
“‘Your father met me on the porch. He said you had filed for permanent custody and wanted no further contact. He showed me a signed agreement. Your name was on it.’”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Daniel continued, more quietly.
“‘I was not well enough to fight anyone. I believed the paper. I believed you had made your choice, and I thought staying away was the last kind thing I could do for you and Silas.’”
Silas stared at him.
“Did you sign it?”
“No.”
Daniel answered immediately.
The certainty in his voice was the first solid thing in the room.
“I never signed anything telling your mother to stay away.”
“Could you have forgotten?”
“No.”
Daniel placed both palms on the table.
“I remember every document the attorney gave me. Temporary custody. Medical authorization. Insurance forms. I never signed away her right to contact us.”
