Jonathan walked away from the pediatric wing without really seeing where he was going.
The hallway stretched in front of him, white and endless. His footsteps echoed too loud in his own ears. Beside him, Linda struggled to keep up, one hand lightly touching the wall for balance.
“Jonathan, slow down," she said softly. “You're walking too fast."
He stopped abruptly near the stairwell and braced a hand against the cool railing. His chest felt tight, like something inside was pressing outward.
“She called him Daddy," he said, the words coming out rough. “Right in front of me."
Linda bit her lip. “She's just a child. Children get attached easily."
“She's my daughter," he snapped before he could stop himself.
The echo of his own voice shocked him. He had no proof. No test. Only a face th
