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Matty’s halfway through the double doors before I can take a step. The nurse stops me with a tired, apologetic smile when I try to follow. “Immediate family only. Sorry.”

Her words knock the breath out of me. My hands drop to my sides as the truth sinks in: I’m not blood. My connection to Hannah isn’t something they’d recognize.

I stand there, frozen, watching Matty’s retreating back—just like the day Hannah was born. The same nightmare repeating itself.

But then…he stops.

Matty turns, his dazed expression clearing suddenly when he sees me standing there alone. Striding back over, he places a hand on my shoulder, gazing at the nurse firmly. “He is immediate family. He’s my husband. Hannah’s other father.”

I stare at him for a second, my brain struggling to process what he just said.

The nurse exhales loudly, muttering under her breath before waving us through. Matty grabs my hand again, holding tight as we follow her down a sterile, too-bright hallway. When we stop, two police officers are waiting outside Hannah’s door.

“I’ll let the doctor know you’re here,” the nurse says before walking off, and we face the officers together.

“Matthew Albrecht?” one of them asks, his face somber.

Matty nods tightly. “That’s me. Is she…what happened? Is she okay?”

“She’s stable,” he says quickly, holding up a hand. “Your daughter’s injuries aren’t life-threatening, but we need to talk to you about the circumstances of the accident.”

Matty blinks, glancing at me in panicked confusion. “Circumstances?”

The second cop steps forward. “Hannah’s mother, Valerie, was driving under the influence of cocaine when the accident occurred. She lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a light pole. Your daughter was in the passenger seat instead of a booster. She was wearing a seatbelt, at least, which minimized her injuries, but—"

“Valerie was high?“ I cut in, my voice rising in disbelief.

“Yes, sir.” The officer nods grimly. “She’s in custody now, pending charges.”

Matty sways on his feet, his grip on my hand tightening so hard it’s almost painful. I step closer, wrapping my arm around him as his breaths turn erratic.

“That... that’s my baby she put in the car,” he whispers, voice breaking. “Hannah could’ve—"

“But she didn’t,” I say firmly, cutting him off before he spirals. “She’s okay. That’s what matters right now.”

The officers exchange a glance, clearly debating whether to say more, but they step aside. “We’ll need a statement later, Mr. Albrecht. For now, you can go see your daughter.”

Matty doesn’t hesitate, dragging me through the door behind him. The sight of Hannah in the hospital bed hits us both like a freight train. She’s so tiny, her arm wrapped in a fresh cast, her face pale but peaceful as she sleeps, the heart monitor beeping steadily.

Relief crashes over me, leaving my knees weak, and Matty lets out a shuddering breath.

“She’s okay,” he says, a sob breaking free as we stand there and hold each other, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest beneath the blanket.

Now that we know she’s safe, the fear in my veins quickly heats to anger, and my fist clenches at my side. “I can’t fucking believe Val would do something like this.”

He’s silent momentarily, an array of emotions flickering across his face. “I can. And that makes me a horrible father.”

“Matthew, you were court-ordered to share custody,” I tell him, kneading his stiff back muscles. “You tried to fight for full and the judge said no. This isn’t your fault.”

“But she’s an addict, Xed, I should have known she’d do something like this—"

“So am I.”

His lips part at my sharp tone, slightly taken aback before he tugs me into his chest. “Ducky, you’ve never done anything to put Hannah in danger. Ever. I trust her with you one hundred percent. None of the drugs even started until I…until I left. Valerie has proven time and again that she can’t be trusted with her own daughter.”

I melt into him, rubbing my cheek against his shoulder as his words settle something in me. “As much as I hate to say this, we can use it to our advantage. Sue for full custody again. There’s no way a judge would agree to let her keep Hannah after this.”

Matty hums but doesn’t respond, his attention on our little girl.