She looked up at Alexander and nodded once.

“The lawyers are in the study, Alexander,” Margaret said. “They have the injunction papers ready for your signature.”

Alexander stood up, his face returning to the calm, determined expression he had worn in the boardroom.

“Take the boys to the kitchen for some cocoa, Emma,” Alexander said to me. “I will be down in the study.”

“Are you sure you don’t need me there?” I asked.

“No,” Alexander said. “This is the easy part.”

I took the boys’ hands and led them down the back stairs to the kitchen, where the warmth of the stove was comforting.

As I poured the milk into a small saucepan, I could hear the muffled sound of voices from the study down the hall.

The legal machinery of the Sterling empire was turning, but this time, it was turning to protect us.

Twenty minutes later, Alexander walked into the kitchen, his tie slightly loosened.

He sat down at the wooden table, accepting a mug of tea from me with a quiet nod of thanks.