Page 69 of Soul

“I’m sorry, Veronica, I was dealing with some stuff and turned my phone off.”

“Nothing too serious, I hope,” Veronica inquired.

I briefly informed her of what had happened, and Veronica made small noises as I spoke.

“I shall chase that up and see what is happening with your case. In the meantime, Bryony, I’m sorry to add to your problems, but Madden has applied to the courts to have his child support and alimony payments reduced,” she said.

“What a shocker,” I stated dryly.

“It gets better. In addition to this, he has recently become a dad again. As in the last three weeks. However, the child’s mother sadly died, and Madden does not want to be the father of a baby. Apparently, Madden appears to think it’s like his other children, whatever that means. He said to tell you, and I quote, ‘She’s special like Hamilton and Maci, and she’d be better off with them.’ I’ve no idea what he’s talking about.”

“Oh, I do. Why has he contacted me about the child?”

“Her name is Grace. Madden… and I can’t believe I’m saying this, wants you to adopt her. Some small part of human decency in him wants Grace to be brought up with her siblings, but he’s no intention of raising her himself.”

The bombshell dropped, and I was stunned into silence. Soul and Dynamo swapped looks.

“Is her ex for real?” Dynamo asked, surprised.

“Unfortunately, yeah,” Veronica answered, hearing her.

“Let me get this right. Madden wants to reduce the payments for me and the children, but then have me take his kid on? Because he’s just that fucking useless as a father,” I finally spoke.

“In a nutshell, yes.”

I shook my head in disbelief. I couldn’t believe what I was being told.

“He has such unmitigated cheek. Madden is unbelievable.”

“I’ve replied on your behalf and refused reducing the payments and told him we were happy to see him in court. As for Grace, please let me know.”

We said goodbye, and I gazed at the flowers in the yard.

“What the hell do I say to that?” I murmured.

“What’s your first thoughts?” Soul asked.

“To take the baby because Grace doesn’t deserve to be stuck with him, and he means she has got abilities. If she’s showing at three weeks, Grace is powerful already,” I replied.

“Then you know your answer,” Dynamo said, sitting back.

“It’s not as simple as that,” I exclaimed.

“Why the hell not? Adopt Grace and explain to Ham and Maci this is their sister. Hit Madden for extra child support and make him sign her over completely. And get even further reduced visitation for him,” Dynamo replied.

“You’ll do what’s right. I’ve got faith in you,” Soul said, and I puffed up a little. That was nice to hear.

Soul

I sat in church and stared Warden down. Dynamo made her position very clear and didn’t take her usual seat and sat next to me. Slasher did the same.

“We’re here to continue church, which wasn’t ended correctly and was interrupted the other night,” Warden said, holding my gaze.

“I’m not apologising for that. You were in the wrong, and I don’t care who knows it,” I replied.

Anger flared in Warden’s eyes and then subsided. “Respect will be shown in here,” he snapped.

“When it’s earned,” Dynamo retorted. “You have lost all of mine.”

---