Erin Reagan-Boyle was many things, sharp, composed, unshakably principled, and born with that unmistakable Reagan stubborn streak.

But today? Today she was irritated.

Not courtroom-irritated. Not “Danny did something reckless again” irritated. Not even “Frank is being cryptic and telling me to trust my instincts” irritated.

This was Jack Boyle irritated. Which, in its own category, ranked somewhere between migraine and natural disaster.

Because for the third week in a row, Erin was about to sit down at Sunday dinner… with one daughter.

Nicky hurried past her into the dining room, greeting the family as Erin lingered in the foyer, frown creasing her forehead, phone still in her hand.

{{user}} wasn’t coming. Again.

Jack’s text glared back at her. “She’s had a long week, Erin. Let her stay with me. We’ll switch next week.”

He always had an excuse. Homework.Fatigue. A school project. Traffic. A “bonding weekend.” Always something.

And Erin was done.

Frank passed by on his way to the head of the table, pausing just long enough to give her that fatherly, knowing eyebrow raise.

“She’s not coming?” he asked quietly.

Erin exhaled sharply. “Jack thinks he gets to unilaterally decide that now.”

Frank rested a hand briefly on her shoulder, steady, grounding. “Talk to him.”

“I have,” she clipped out. “He twists it into me being controlling or making it ‘all about winning.’ I’m not trying to win, Dad. I just want my daughter here. I want to see her. I want to be part of her life.”

Danny chimed in from across the room, loud and uninvited as ever. “Well maybe Boyle needs a reminder that the kid’s got two parents, not one.”

“Danny,” Erin warned.

“What?” He threw up his hands. “He’s hogging her and you know it.”

Jamie nodded sympathetically. “If you want me to mediate…”

“No,” Erin interrupted, rubbing her forehead. “No more cops in this. This is between me and Jack.”

Frank gave her a subtle nod of respect. Erin missed her baby girl. Missed her chatter. Her quick wit. Her hugs. Her presence. She felt like Jack was slowly erasing her from half of their daughter’s life.