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Gerard stepped forward, looking deranged. “Those thugs you sent have something to do with it, didn’t they?” he snarled.

“Gerard, I didn’t send anyone. God, stop blaming me for stuff. Christ! You know me; do I have contacts like what you’re accusing me of?” I demanded. If Gerard realised the club had stolen his fortune, the outcome would be horrendous. Lie, lie, and lie harder was my silent mantra.

Gerard paused. He thought it over and couldn’t deny I was right.

“Meadow, give me it all back.”

“It’s too late. Three quarters of the money is gone already.”

“It better fucking not be Meadow!”

“Well, it is. It went into trusts for the children. You know, the ones who share your blood that you ignored for eighteen months,” I cried. “How could you, Gerard?! They thought the sun shone out of your ass. You were Poet’s hero! Now, you’re just the piece of shit they don’t mention!”

“Shut the fuck up! Those brats don’t think that!” Gerard’s fists opened and closed.

“Brats? That says everything. Believe me, they do. They haven’t had takeout in a year, nor had a Sunday roast, and barely got a gift on their birthday or Christmas. Their clothes come from thrift stores; they don’t have phones. Worse, they can’t go on school outings, and everyone knows they’re on free meal plans. You turned them into charity cases. They’re not invited to parties because I can’t afford even five bucks for a card for the birthday kid. And they have nothing nice to wear, anyway.”

“Lying cunt! That was on you! All you had to agree to was a quiet divorce,” Gerard snarled. He realised my words were true and reacted badly, as always.

“Idiot, I had agreed, Gerard! Did you think I’d want you back after you cheated with that slut? Hell no. All I wanted was my fair share—I didn’t even want half. But you listened to the poison that greedy bitch spouted into your ear while she sucked your cock. Well, where is Judy now?”

Gerard’s fists opened and closed as his face turned puce. “Meadow, you ruined everything!” he yelled.

“Not quite. I didn’t claim your company. And we’re both aware I could have claimed half. I have the agreement proving my parents’ insurance was used as an investment. Think yourself lucky!” I snapped.

Gerard became a darker red. A clear sign he was about to flip. “Meadow, I need money.”

“So did I, so did our kids. What was your response when I begged? You laughed!” I yelled.

“Bitch, I need five million.”

“Tough. If you’d played fair, you’d have had it. If you’d not been an asshole, I wouldn’t have claimed everything in my name!”

“Lies!” Gerard screamed, the veins on his neck standing out in stress.

“Nope. Not at all. Check my original claim against you. You kept refusing it. You had no qualms buying Judy a fifty k necklace but couldn’t even buy Poet a birthday present two days later. Gerard, you’re the very fuckin’ epitome of a deadbeat dad. Well, you lost, Gerard, and the kids won. The bulk of your fortune is held in trust. You’ll never get it!” I hissed.

“Give me the five million, Meadow, or you’re going to regret it.”

“Fuck off,” I spat. My fear of Gerard lingered; it always would, but I was free now. I didn’t have to stand and take his shit. Not anymore. I had places to escape from him, and I wasn’t trapped under his rule of thumb. Gerard could bark and snap as much as he wanted, but he no longer controlled me.

“Meadow, I’m warning you,” Gerard threatened.

“Touch me, Gerard, and I will press charges and then go after your fuckin’ company. That’s my warning!”

I turned towards the Lexus, and Gerard moved quickly. My head bounced off the hood, and I cried out as he yanked me around by my hair and began raining blows on me. I fought back, trying to shove him away. Desperately, I scratched Gerard’s face as he smashed a fist into mine. Staggering, I tried to get into the car, but Gerard kept punching me. Dazed, I fell to the floor, and Gerard leapt on top, his fists hitting any part of my body within reach. My face was a swollen mess—the blood trickled down it.

Then I felt nothing.

Chill

“What do you mean, Cassian?” Nanci asked with concern. She was walking across the rec room, heading for Inglorious. Concerned, I stepped into her path, and Nanci paused.

“No, darling, she’s not here. Your mom was given the rest of the week off to deal with the divorce,” Nanci replied.

“Okay. Can you fetch Poet and Zion…” she looked at me, then added for Cassian, “I’ll send Chill to collect you… no, honey, we’ll find her. Mom’s probably got a flat tyre or something,” Nanci said.

She hung up and looked at me. “Do you know where Meadow was heading today?”