“You spent twenty thousand dollars to buy a smile for one child,” I said, leaning in so close I could smell the coconut sunscreen on her skin, “but you couldn’t spare twenty dollars and a shred of human decency to save the life of the other. You aren’t just playing favorites, Catherine. You are attempted murderers.”
Julian buried his face in his hands, letting out a ragged, pathetic sob. “Dad, please. We didn’t know. We thought she was faking it to ruin Leo’s trip. She always needs so much attention.”
“She needed a mother and a father,” I retorted, disgusted by his cowardice. “And since she doesn’t have those, she has me.”
I slid the thickest document across the glass. “This is an emergency custody order granting me full temporary placement of Maya, effective immediately. Do not contact my house. Do not attempt to visit her. If you come within five hundred feet of my property, I will have you arrested for violating a court order.”
“You can’t take my child!” Catherine shrieked, lunging for the papers.
“You abandoned her the moment you walked out that door,” I said, turning my back on them. “I am just making it legally binding.”