"Get away from him." I had the fruit knife in my hand before I realized who I was fighting for. "Vera, drop that," Edward said like he owned the air in the room. His voice was measured, the way bullies sound when they think law will back them. "Don't you dare," I said. I stepped closer and set the blade flat on the wooden table, then pushed the tip down with my palm until the blade bit into the grain. "Is that—" Sharon stopped. Her face went sharp. "You can't threaten family like that." "This is my house," I said. "This is my son." I said "my son" to shock them. I meant Kai. Clara leaned forward, lips thin. "You can't keep him. You signed nothing." "I didn't sign anything," I said. Kai reached for my hand and squeezed. Edward's smile thinned. "We can go court about this. We have money, legal counsel—" "Take your lawyers," I said. "Take everything. You touch Kai and I call the police and I go viral. You want a scandal, or you want your reputation?" Sharon barked a laugh. "You and viral clips? You think you're an influencer now? Who will believe you?" "Watch me," I said. Edward moved like he planned to step around the table. He had the kind of slow confidence a man uses when he expects others to bend. I pushed harder. The table gave a little. The knife bit deeper, wood splintering. The