Page 22 of Chill

“Read the text; it explains everything,” Cassian replied.

Her bottom lip wobbled, which I knew meant tears were coming. Poet wasn’t above manipulating her brothers.

“But Cass…”

“No. Not this time. You need to learn.”

Poet shoved her book away from her and folded her arms. Zion edged sideways, but Cassian held her gaze.

“Don’t you dare start!” Cassian warned. “Mom is super busy. I know you could do them last week, and you’re looking for attention.”

Poet’s bottom lip came out, and she pouted. Cassian didn’t bend.

“What’s up?” I asked, approaching.

“I can’t do these problems,” Poet replied, eyes sad and huge.

“She can, Chill; she just doesn’t want to,” Cassian stated.

“Ah, shame,” I said. “I thought you were clever, Poet.”

Her gaze narrowed on me, and I hid a smirk. Yup, that got her. Poet looked anything but amused. If she kept insisting she couldn’t do them, she was admitting she was stupid.

“Can you sit by me in case I get stuck?” she asked.

“Sure. But I bet you don’t. If you do…” I paused, and Poet leaned forward. “Your mom is so wrong about you. She brags about how clever you are constantly.”

“Does she say that about me?” Zion demanded.

“Yup, and she calls Cassian devilishly intelligent.”

Cassian snorted and returned to his own schoolwork. That was something I admired about Meadow. She’d instilled how much a good education was necessary. At least one of their parents bothered.

Peace settled at their table as I sat and watched them work. This Gerard was a damn fool. The perfect family, and like most ignorant, arrogant assholes, he threw it away. Well, it was his loss. They would turn on him, and when he needed them, they’d not be there. That was on him and nobody else.

Chapter Five.

Meadow

When Cartman called me twice in a row, I knew it was urgent. I picked the phone up and ducked into the kitchen.

“Please tell me you’re calling with good news.”

“I’m sorry, Meadow. Everything’s gone. I don’t know where Gerard has hidden it, but overnight it disappeared.”

“What?” I screeched in shock. “We froze his assets so this couldn’t happen.”

“The paperwork went missing, and Gerard took advantage.”

“But the judge knows they were there. He’s seen the statements,” I cried, running a trembling hand through my hair. This was a disaster.

“The judge has stated that without current evidence of the accounts, the previous proof isn’t sufficient. Basically, Gerard’s will get away with everything,” Cartman sounded apologetic. He mentioned some legal stuff, but my brain had focused on the kids.

“My children are suffering. Please tell me he’ll pay child support.”

“The bare minimum.”

I began laughing bitterly. “How the fuck did this happen?”