A brief, approving smile crossed the lawyer's face. "Good. That simplifies matters."
Helena placed a gentle hand on Javi's shoulder. Pascal sat on the armrest beside him, silent but supportive.
Herr Kränke reached into his satchel and pulled out a second card—cream-colored, embossed with a Scottish legal firm's name.
"This is the number she left?" he asked Pascal.
"Yes," Pascal confirmed. "Said it was her family's lawyer in Edinburgh."
"Very well," Kränke said. He folded his hands. "Here's what we'll do: Tomorrow morning, I'll call this number, inform them of the situation, and request the mother's legal position. If she intends to forfeit custody, we will document it formally through the proper channels in both Germany and Scotland. If she does not respond… the abandonment note speaks for itself."
Javi sat back, feeling the weight settle into him like wet concrete.
"So… what happens now?"
