POV: Zara
I stare at the document in Jason's hand like it's a venomous snake. The words blur together, but I catch enough to understand. Presumption of paternity. Marital rights. Medical authority.
"This can't be legal," I whisper.
"Oh, it's very legal." A man in a grey suit steps into the room behind Jason. He looks exactly like what he is: an expensive lawyer with no conscience. "Mrs. Hartley, I'm Douglas Chen, representing your husband. Under current law, any child born during a marriage is legally presumed to be the husband's until proven otherwise."
"But we both know it's not his baby," I say, my voice shaking.
"What we know and what the law recognizes are two different things." Mr. Chen adjusts his glasses. "You and Mr. Jason Hartley are still legally married. Until a paternity test proves otherwise, he has parental rights. And as your spouse, he also has the right to make medical decisions on your behalf should you become incapacitated."
