At year’s end, my husband claimed every flight was sold out and forced us onto a fifty-hour train home.

he was willing to do when he thought nobody important was watching.”

His face hardened.

“Our house—”

“My house.”

His mouth opened.

“The mortgage—”

“There isn’t one.”

Vanessa stared at me.

I continued.

“The townhouse belongs to my trust. You have thirty days to retrieve your stored belongings through counsel.”

Daniel turned pale.

He lowered his voice.

“You can’t keep my child from me.”

“I’m not trying to.”

That seemed to confuse him.

“I’m protecting myself. Custody will be decided properly, not through threats.”

My father finally spoke.

“Daniel, your