Really,” he assured, though the path forward was uncertain. He had been blind for too long, choosing to see only the surface of things. Now, with clarity, he knew he had to act. The safety and well-being of his children depended on it, and that was a responsibility he could no longer delegate or ignore.

Downstairs, Vanessa paced the length of the living room, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She had not anticipated Richard walking in at that moment, had thought she could handle the children on her own terms. But now, the balance had shifted, and she felt her grip slipping. She needed to recalibrate, to think of a way to regain control, because losing the luxurious life she had become accustomed to was not an option.