“If I step down, the public interest dies.”

“No,” I said, realizing what he was suggesting. “You cannot do that. That company is your life.”

“My children are my life,” he said, turning to look at me.

But I could see the pain in his eyes.

The sacrifice he was contemplating was immense.

We crossed back over the bridge, the silence in the car heavy and suffocating.

When we returned to the studio, the lights were low.

Benjamin was sitting on the sofa, a legal pad on his lap.

He looked up as we entered, his face grim.

“What happened?” Benjamin asked, standing up.

“He filed,” I said, shedding my wet coat.

“He has a judge on his payroll, Benjamin. They are starting an investigation into the studio.”

Benjamin sighed, rubbing his temples.

“I was afraid of that,” he said. “Harrison has deep ties to the family court judges in Manhattan.”

I walked down the hallway to the twins’ bedroom.

I pushed the door open slowly, the hinges creaking slightly.

Liam was curled up under his blue blanket, his thumb near his mouth.