“The First Time My Husband Bathed Our Newborn, He Looked at Me in Horror and Said, ‘We Can’t Keep This Child’”

His mouth opened, then closed again.

I turned to Kendra. “At what point did you?”

She lowered her eyes.

“None of you get to decide when I count.”

“We needed to act quickly—” the doctor started.

“We were in the hospital. You called once before putting that responsibility on her.” I nodded toward Kendra while adjusting Sophia in my arms. “I want the complete medical records. Every note. Every consent form. I want the names of everyone involved in this decision.”

The doctor nodded slowly. “You’re entitled to the records.”

“And I want a formal review.”

That earned another silence.

Daniel stepped beside me, our arms touching. “And I want a copy of the policy you think justified this.”

Kendra wiped her tears away. “I honestly thought I was doing the right thing.”

I believed her.

“You were scared,” I said softly. “I understand why you made that choice. What I want to know is why the system failed me.” I looked directly at the doctor.

He said nothing.