“They won’t take them,” Daniel said, turning around to face me.

He came back to the bed and took my hand.

His palm was warm, but his fingers were shaking.

“I will hire the best custody lawyers in the state,” he said.

“We will fight this in court tomorrow morning.”

“The hearing is set for nine o’clock,” Ruth said, checking her watch.

“We have less than fifteen hours to prepare.”

“What about the boys?” I asked. “Where are they now?”

“They are at the estate with the nanny from the agency,” Ruth said.

“I made sure she is a licensed professional with excellent references.”

“Marcus’s people are already watching the gates,” Ruth added. “They tried to photograph the children playing in the yard.”

Daniel cursed under his breath and rubbed his temples.

“I should have been there,” Daniel said, his voice cracking with guilt.

“I spent years working late, building the company, leaving everything to you and Ruth.”

“And now, when my family needs me most, I am completely unprepared.”

“Do not do this to yourself, Daniel,” I said, squeezing his hand.