AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Over my dead body,” I growl.
“Well dear, that can be arranged you know.” She gives a false laugh that leaves me cold.
“You best be fucking joking!”
“Language! Of course I’m joking, dear. I’d never have you killed.” She smiles in a patronising way that makes me want to punch her.
Think of Phoenix, I tell myself.
“Like I give a shit about your death threats! I meant you best be kidding about sending her there!”
“Why would I joke about education? I want my great-grandchild to have the best opportunities in life. Don’t you? Where else would I send her?”
“Lizzie died there! She was raped and murdered. The same nearly happened to me! How could you even fathom sending her there?!”
“Because it’s the best,” Cordelia replies, as if she’s puzzled by my reaction. Why doesn’t she get it?
“I hope you didn’t pay the fees yet, because there’s no way she’s going there.”
“We’ll see…”
“No, we won’t see. She is NOT going there! I'm warning you: don’t interfere. Not if you want to continue having Phoenix in your life.”
“I really didn’t want to have to do this, Raven.” Cordelia sighs, like I’m the biggest disappointment in her life.
“Do what?” I ask, instantly on edge.
“This.” She turns and takes a large Manila envelope off the table behind her, then passes it to me.
“What is this?”
“Court papers,” she says resignedly.
“What? Why? What for?”
“I’m taking you to court for custody of Phoenix.”
“WHAT?” I screech. “Why? No fucking way! This cannot be happening!”
“With language like that, I hardly need a reason. But I have provided several in the paperwork. To give you the overview: Phoenix is not safe in your custody.”
“You evil, vile bitch. I bet you’ve been planning this since the day I said I was pregnant!”
“Think what you like, dear. I’m just doing what’s best for Phoenix. Someone in this family has to.”
“I will kill you.”
“I truly believe it, dear. We all know you’ve killed before. In fact, that reason isn’t cited in the court papers, but maybe it’s not too late to get my solicitors to add it in…” she trails off with an ice-cold smirk that makes my blood boil.
My hands curl into fists and I take a menacing step towards her.
“You...you…”
“Mummy?” Phoenix’s small, scared voice has me spinning on the spot. I stare aghast at her tiny tear-stained face. “Why are you and Grandmama shouting?”
“We’re not, baby. It’s fine. Come, say goodbye to Cordelia. You might not see her for a while.”
It breaks my heart when Phoenix runs over to hug Cordelia. I’d hate to shatter her world, but I can’t stand the way she looks at Cordelia like she hung the moon. I long for the day Phoenix can see her for what she really is; I just hope she doesn’t find out the hard way like I had to.
