I stared at him.
I was still married to this man. Until the clock struck twelve, I was still married to this loathsome sack of shit.
‘I’m going to see the kids soon anyway.’ His voice turned placating. ‘Why don’t we just rip the bandaid off now?’
Rip the bandaid off?Rip the fucking bandaid off?
‘Laura’s with Micah and Nikki in an AirBnB just around the corner. I could get them to come here. Or you could bring the kids to us, if that’s more comfortable—’
‘If you don’t leave right now, I’m going to call the cops,’ Jonah said.
Matt ignored him. ‘It’s Christmas, Fi. Are you really not going to let me give the kids their gifts?’
‘So you could afford to buy all this,’ I said hoarsely, gesturing at the pile in his arms, ‘but not pay me one single cent of child support all year?’
‘You’ll get your money. I promise.’
Jonah had his phone out. ‘I’m dialling.’
‘I’m sorry I’ve been absent.’ Matt’s voice wobbled, and I wanted to scream like a banshee. ‘I really am. But it’s been so complicated – financially and emotionally, and now with the babies on the way… I’ve treated you terribly, Fi, I know, but I’ve been so overwhelmed, and – please,pleaselet me see the kids. Let me try and make it right.’
‘You think you canbuy us?’
I turned. So did Jonah, his thumb hovering over the call button on his phone.
Lex had their fists clenched at their side, a red flush of anger slowly up rising their chest. ‘Maybe the twins will fall for this,’ they snarled, pointing at the gifts in Matt’s arms, ‘but you can’t buy me, Dad.’
Matt’s face went white. ‘Lex, buddy, things have been complicated, okay? But if you’ll let me, I can explain.’
‘Fine! Explain!’
Matt opened his mouth, then closed it again.
‘Now’s your chance!’ Lex exclaimed. ‘I’m listening.’
‘What’s going on?’ Elias asked, emerging from the living room. ‘What’s – oh no. Absolutely not.’
He pushed in front of me. ‘You think you can just turn up here? Howdareyou?’
‘Elias,’ I said. ‘I need you to stop yelling.’
‘Fi—’
‘It’s not helpful.’ My lips felt numb, like I’d been running an ice cube over them. ‘If you want to help, please go and shut all thedoors and windows. The girls are outside with the puppy, and I don’t want them overhearing any more of this than they already have.’
Elias hesitated. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes. I’m sure.’
He went. I turned to Jonah. ‘Will you please go out the back? Make sure the girls stay there?’
Jonah’s gaze flickered back to Matt. ‘I don’t want to leave you alone.’
‘I’ll be fine.’ I felt almost light-headed, like my anger was so strong that it might burn away gravity’s hold on me. ‘If I haven’t come out in ten minutes, you can call the cops, all right?’
To his credit, Jonah didn’t argue. He squeezed my shoulder as he left.
‘Lex, please go with Uncle Jonah,’ I said. ‘Or you can go to your room if you want.’
