My stomach drops.He's supposed to be in New York until tomorrow, wrapping up some business deal.The last thing I need right now is him trying to handle a traumatized child with his usual authoritarian approach.
Hades has security cameras all around the house, not to mention a prospect sitting outside, watching.So how the hell did he get in?
"Evangeline?"His voice is getting closer."What's going on?"
“How did you get in?”I ask, my voice sharp.“Did the prospect not stop you?”
“He was busy,” he says nonchalantly.“What’s going on?”He asks once again.
"Jake's having a hard time," I call back, not taking my eyes off the little boy who's now pulling books off his shelf and throwing them across the room.
Ethan appears in the doorway, taking in the chaos with obvious displeasure."He’s out of control.This ends now before any more damage is done."
"He's grieving."
"He's being destructive and disrespectful."Ethan steps into the room, his voice taking on that commanding tone that always makes my skin crawl."That's enough.Stop this behavior immediately."
Jake looks up at him with wild, tear-filled eyes."You're not my dad!You can't tell me what to do either!"
"I'm the adult in charge here, and you will listen to me."Ethan moves closer, looming over Jake in a way that's clearly meant to intimidate."Pick up these toys.Right now.Every single one."
"No!"
"Yes.And if you don't, there will be consequences.No video games, no dessert, no?—"
"Ethan, stop."I step between him and Jake, my protective instincts flaring."This isn't helping."
"What's not helping is you coddling him.Children need structure, discipline, clear boundaries.Not endless patience for tantrums."
Jake throws another book, this one hitting Ethan in the leg."I hate you!Go away!"
Ethan's face flushes red with anger."That's it.You're going to your room and staying there until you can behave like a civilized human being."
"He is in his room."
"Then he can stay here.No dinner, no interaction with the other children.Maybe a night alone will teach him some respect."
The casual cruelty of it, the way he talks about punishing a traumatized child for expressing grief, makes my blood boil."You're not punishing him for having the worst day of his life."
"I'm punishing him for being destructive and disrespectful."
"He's ten years old and his parents are dead!"
"That doesn't give him the right to destroy other people's property or treat adults with contempt."
I can see this escalating into a full-blown fight, which is the last thing Jake needs to witness.My hands are shaking as I pull out my phone.
"What are you doing?"Ethan asks.
"Calling someone who actually knows how to handle this."
"You're calling that biker?Absolutely not.We can handle this ourselves."
"We are not handling it.You're making it worse."
Ethan's jaw tightens."I will not have my authority undermined in my own house."
"This isn't your house," I say, hitting Hades' number."And Jake isn't your child."
