I kept my voice completely flat.

“And you wanted to make sure I had no money to pay a lawyer’s retainer.”

“I wanted to make sure you understood who controls the foundation of this house,” Cole said, leaning his hand against the doorframe above my head.

“No top attorney in Manhattan takes a high-conflict custody case on credit, Lauren.

You can’t hire your own lawyer without cash.”

“My father is holding the elevator,” I said.