He held up a thick manila envelope sealed in waterproof plastic.

“We have an emergency ex parte order signed by Judge Henderson three hours ago in Denver.”

Benjamin stepped forward, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “Get off my property.”

Vance smiled, a small, clinical movement of his lips.

“It isn’t your property alone anymore, Benjamin,” Vance said.

He handed the envelope to me, ignoring Benjamin entirely.

I ripped the plastic open with my teeth, my fingers shaking from the cold.

The documents inside were thick, printed on high-grade bond paper that felt heavy in my hands.

I scanned the first page, my eyes darting across the legal jargon.

“This is a joke,” I said, though my stomach plummeted.

“It is a legally binding emergency petition for temporary custody,” Vance replied.

“On what grounds?” Pierce asked, stepping between Vance and the front door.

“On the grounds of severe parental neglect, physical endangerment, and psychological instability,” Vance said.

He looked past us into the warm hallway where the girls were huddled.

“The mother, Vanessa Caldwell, is petitioning for the immediate removal of the minors from this household.”