Daniel stepped out into the quiet hallway the moment Isabella finally fell asleep.
Her tiny fingers had loosened their grip on his shirt. Her breathing had steadied. The IV machine hummed softly beside her bed.
He walked several feet away from the room before pulling out his phone.
His hands were steady now.
Not because he wasn’t shaken.
But because he was done hesitating.
He dialed his lawyer.
“Daniel,” his lawyer answered. “I was just about to call you. I heard from your parents—”
“I need to file for full custody,” Daniel said immediately. No greeting. No preamble.
There was a brief pause on the other end.
“Tell me what happened.”
Daniel explained everything—the police involvement, Elise being under the influence, Isabella’s condition, the hospital admission, Child Protective
