Hannah sat across from me at Mara’s office, a notebook open in front of her.

“I don’t want the children photographed for your company’s website,” she said.

“I don’t want a trust announced at a press conference.

And I don’t want anyone at their preschool asking them why a rich stranger has suddenly appeared.”

“Agreed.”

“I want their existing routine protected.”

“Agreed.”

“And I want you to understand that parentage doesn’t turn their lives into a negotiation you automatically win.”