Page 31

“Ma’am, I never liked you. Didn’t think you were good enough for the master,” he stated boldly.

“Yes, I was aware. Your opinion didn’t factor in how much I loved Gerard.”

Mr Lyons kept staring. Disapproval came off him in waves. “You were a damn sight better than what he replaced you with.”

I broke into startled laughter, and a small smile crossed his lips. “Most of your clothing and belongings were sent to charity.”

“That’s fine. It’s the kid’s stuff that hurt me; I’d grabbed my parents’ items before Gerard threw me out.”

“The children’s I cleared, too. Come, Ms. Silver,” he said.

“I’ve taken my maiden name back,” I replied as I followed him.

“Ms. Hall,” Mr Lyons amended. He headed into the kitchen, pulled a key from a drawer, and passed it to me.

“This is for a storage locker?” I asked.

“With their treasures in. Not their clothing or shoes, but books, and collections, and other important items. Your family pictures are there too. I imagine you can Photoshop out the master,” Mr Lyons said stiffly.

I stared at the key in the palm of my hand and then surprised us both as I threw my arms around the old man. “You’ve no idea what this means to the children or me.”

Mr Lyons awkwardly patted my back. “I believe I do. You must go now.”

I turned to walk away and paused. “What about you?”

“Ah. The master’s parents settled a house on me a while ago. I shall be retiring after today. That… creature… will be pleased, as she desired my retirement for a while. Plus, the master can no longer afford to pay me, or so I hear. Although, Ms Hall, it would be nice to see the children sometimes.”

“I’ve nothing to say to that, but I’ll make sure you get a fair settlement. And I’m sure we can arrange something, Mr Lyons.” That alone told me the old man’s stance. Gerard had overestimated Mr Lyons’ loyalty. It was to the family, and the kids were a part of that family. It was clear Mr Lyons disapproved of what Gerard had done.

“Despite a bonus not being necessary, I believe you,” Lyon said. I nodded and left the house.

“You better skedaddle,” Kendara stated as a police vehicle turned up.

“Yeah, have them arrest him for trespass if he turns up,” I threw out and climbed back into my car.

I arrived at school as Zion and Poet came out.

I smiled happily at them and caught them up in a hug. Some of the parents sneered, and I smirked. People were always so quick to judge. Let them.

“Let’s go. We’re staying in a hotel tonight,” I said.

“We are?” Poet looked gleeful.

“Yes, and we’re not returning to that house either.”

“Probably can’t afford it,” one of the mothers muttered. I sent her the stink eye.

“Let’s fetch Cassian, and we can also drop by a car showroom and get a new one,” I suggested, and Poet cheered.

“Another heap of junk. Disgraceful,” a snooty mom commented. I rose above it. They’d soon see tomorrow.

“Come on,” I ordered with a grin. There was a late-night mall. The kids could buy new clothes tonight. I’d packed their old ones separately so I could drop them off at a thrift store. I was going to spoil the fuck out of my kids.

“Mom, can we afford this?” Cassian demanded, his eyes wide.

“Yes,” I said, handing over my card. My stomach did a flip as it had done each time I’d paid, but again it was accepted. We’d gone slightly mad. I’d spent several thousand dollars on clothing, as Mr Lyons had stated that everything had been donated. Plus, they’d have outgrown them by now. Tomorrow I’d visit the storage locker and investigate what was there. I’d a feeling their electronics were also missing.

“How?” Cassian demanded.