“The children’s well-being and caregiving arrangements will matter.

We can address financial issues separately.”

Her steadiness calmed me more than sympathy would have.

We discussed a temporary schedule that allowed Brandon to see the girls while they stayed in their familiar home.

I was willing to start with short visits because he’d never learned their feeding routine.

Elena explained that an agreement should be in writing, workable, and adaptable as they grew.

On the bus ride home I looked at a photograph Tessa had sent: Piper with her fist curled around Quinn’s sleeve.