Later that night, after the boys had gone upstairs, she cornered me in the kitchen.
She leaned casually against the counter, as if we were discussing business.
Which, apparently, we were.
“I know how much your company is worth now,” she said.
I stared at her, confused.
“Transfer fifty-one percent of it to me,” she continued smoothly, “and I’ll drop the case.”
It felt like the ground disappeared beneath me.
“And if I refuse?”
She shrugged.
“Then I’ll take them and move away.”
My lawyer spoke gently but honestly.
“Courts often give biological parents another chance,” he said. “Especially if they claim they’ve changed.”
The hearing was scheduled quickly.
The boys insisted on attending.
“I want the judge to see us,” George said firmly.
So we went.
Vanessa’s lawyer spoke first.
He described her as a grieving widow who had struggled but eventually rebuilt her life.
Vanessa dabbed at her eyes.
“I made mistakes,” she said softly. “But I want to reconnect with my sons.”
Then she looked at me.
“My mother-in-law is getting older. I worry about the boys’ safety.”
Older.
The word lingered.
I saw the judge nod slightly.
My stomach tightened.
After everything… could I really lose them?
Then the judge asked if anyone else wished to speak.
Before my lawyer could respond, a chair scraped loudly.
Jeffrey stood up.
My heart nearly stopped.
He was terrified of speaking in public.
