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A bitter taste rises in my throat as I realize what this really means: I’m trapped. Legally, financially, emotionally—there’s no escape. I can’t afford a lawyer who could even begin to challenge James’s legal team. He could take Leo from me piece by piece if he really wanted to.
I squeeze my eyes shut and the email appears behind my lids, as if it’s been burned into my retinas. The DNA test doesn’t bother me—that’s a formality. But the rest… visitation, custody—James has all the power now. And I hate him for it.
How dare he use his money to force his way into Leo’s life like this? How dare he reduce us to legal proceedings when all he had to do was pick up the phone and talk to me?
The anger rises again, laced with a darker force. Fear. Because I know this is only the beginning. James is asserting his dominance—claiming his territory. And it doesn’t matter that I would have willingly allowed Leo to know his uncle, would have worked something out if he’d justasked.
But that’s not what this is about. This is about control. This is about him making sure I know my place—that he holds all the cards now.
I blink back the tears gathering in my eyes, the frustration and hopelessness burning inside me. My mind spins, thinking of all the ways this could go wrong. What if he pushes for more? What if he tries to take Leo from me entirely?
No. I won’t let that happen. I can’t.
Without thinking, I grab my phone and open my message thread with James. My fingers fly over the screen, the words spilling out before I can second-guess them.
Next time, just ask! I would have happily introduced you to your nephew. Oh, and I’m doing okay by the way… thanks for your concern.
The passive-aggressiveness barely scratches the surface of what I want to say, but it’s all I can manage. The three little dots appear, showing that he’s seen it, and for a second, my heart leaps into my throat. He’s going to respond.
Please, just say something.
Anything.
But then they disappear.
I blink, gripping the phone so hard my knuckles turn white. Seconds drag by, and I find myself staring, willing the dots to reappear, willing him to care enough to respond.
But there’s nothing. Just the empty screen staring back at me, a reflection of the void between us.
He’s really not going to answer.
The rideshare pulls up outside, and I throw my phone into my purse, fighting back tears of anger threatening to spill.
What an asshole.
As I climb into the car, I know this battle is only just beginning.
Chapter thirty-five
Cora
The scent of freshlybrewed coffee fills the kitchen as I wrap my hands around my mug, savoring the warmth seeping into my fingertips. After a long night at Eden, I’m drained, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
I glance over to the living room, where Leo’s busy narrating the epic saga of his monster trucks, his voice rising with each “crash!” and “boom!” He’s lost in his own world, oblivious to mine, and right now, that’s all I can ask for.
Dad shuffles into the kitchen, yawning as he drops into the chair across from me, his T-shirt crumpled and his hair mussed. “Is there coffee in that pot for an old man?”
“Always.” I get up and pour him a cup, watching as he takes it in both hands and breathes in the steam.
“You look worn out, darling.” His eyes crinkle with worry as he studies my face.
I give him a tired half-smile. “Long night.”
He looks at me with that piercing gaze, the one that makes me feel like he can read every thought I try to bury. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard. Running on empty.”
I shrug, staring down at my cup. “I just… I don’t know, Dad. I’m terrified that James will try to take Leo away.”
Dad’s expression softens, and he reaches across the table to cover my hand with his. “We’ll fight,” he says, his tone strong and steady. “We’ll fight with everything we have.”