LAYLA'S POV
I've had three days to prepare my face for this moment, and it still isn't enough.
The prenatal rights petition was approved by the neutral mediator on Monday. I knew it was coming – my lawyer told me the approval was a formality, that biological fathers have standard access to prenatal appointments under cross-pack mediation law. Knowing hasn't made today easier. It's just meant I've had seventy-two hours to practise looking calm while my tongue tastes like copper.
Garrett arrives at Thea's clinic at exactly 10 AM. Not early, not late. Precisely on time in the way that tells me he calculated his entrance – early would seem eager, late would seem disrespectful, exactly on time says "reasonable co-parent" without saying a word.
He's dressed with careful casualness. Not a sui
