“I never legally terminated my parental rights, Mom,” he said, turning his gaze to me.

“You raised her, but we never went through a formal adoption process.”

I felt a sudden chill run down my spine.

It was true; when Thomas left, we had signed temporary guardianship papers, but we had never finalized a legal adoption because Thomas had disappeared shortly after.

“The court will see that I am her biological father,” Thomas said, his posture straightening.

“And they will see that you have kept her from me.”

He looked at Caroline, a cold smile touching his lips.

“You want to record me?” he asked.

“Go ahead.”

“Because when we go to court, the judge is going to hear how your grandmother alienated you from your own father.”

Caroline did not flinch, but her fingers tightened against the edge of the table.

“You can’t do that,” Rebecca said, her voice shaking.

“Watch me,” Thomas said.

He picked up his leather jacket from the back of the chair and slung it over his shoulder.

“I have the resources to fight this,” he said, looking at me.