Formerly alienated parents out there, what worked best getting contact with your kids?

I’m curious about you formerly alienated parents out there. What worked best getting contact with your kids?

My wife disappeared with our son in August and now she and I only communicate through her lawyer. Except for the occasional picture I’m totally cut off from my son. Knowing that making peace is the best path forward I cooperated and provisionally agreed to paying婚姻費用 immediately. Now I feel like she’s got everything she wants short of the actual divorce. I have no leverage. She came to the first visitation mediation session and agreed to one video chat if and when it’s convenient for her. I’m not optimistic. I’ve had zero contact with my son since August. The mediators kinda threw their hands up and said that I’m lucky that she’s willing to cooperate even this much. Not in a mean spirited way but acknowledging that they are powerless basically.

Of course I will have to be patient and finish the mediation first but I’m starting to think that this is how things are going to be and my wife is fine with destroying my relationship with our son. I have no desire to hurt my son (or her) financially but I don’t know what else to do. Have any of you used money as leverage without it backfiring? Is pulling mutual friends into it worth it? What worked for you?

I know what a lawyer would say, I’m looking for a less clinical opinion.