“I have the best family lawyers in Dallas on retainer.”

“By the time I am finished, you will not have custody of Hazel and Ruby.”

My chest tightened at the mention of my daughters, but I kept my face blank.

“You will be labeled an unfit mother,” she said.

“A gold-digger who tried to extort a prominent Texas family.”

“And who will believe you?” she added.

“You are a nobody in this town.”

“I have the bank records, Gloria,” I said softly.

“Bank records can be disputed,” she said, stepping back and smoothing her skirt.

“Documents can be lost.”

“But a mother’s reputation in Highland Park is very fragile.”

She looked toward the large glass windows, where the grey Dallas sky was beginning to darken.

“We are attending the annual Dallas Real Estate Gala tomorrow night at the Anatole,” she said.

“The mayor will be there.”

“The entire board of the Ralston Trust will be there.”

“You will stand beside Graham, you will smile, and you will sign the release forms for the audit,” she commanded.

“If you do not, I will file for emergency custody of the girls first thing Friday morning.”