She was demanding full custody.

“You abandoned them,” I said.

Her smile was thin. “Legally, you only had temporary guardianship. That can change.”

I stepped away to call my lawyer.

“Margaret,” he said cautiously, “courts sometimes favor biological parents if they claim they’ve turned their life around.”

“She vanished for ten years!”

“I understand,” he said. “But we must prepare.”

Before I could think further, Vanessa followed me into the kitchen.

“I’ll make this easy,” she said calmly.

“I know exactly how much your company is worth.”

My stomach tightened.

“Transfer fifty-one percent of your business to me,” she continued, “and I’ll withdraw the case.”

I stared at her.

“You want everything I built?”

“I want security,” she replied. “Think of it as a trade.”

“And if I refuse?”

She shrugged.