Chapter 21 Erwina Knows the Game
Erwina stood there watching, then sighed. Elaine flipped too easily and never stood a chance against Megan’s fake act.
Now she looked like the bad guy again.
Ethan would show up any minute, just like Erwina knew he
would.
She walked over and reached out to steady Megan, who was
faking a wobble.
“Meg, what are you doing here? You should be resting. Go lie down in the pod. What if this turns serious and you end up
limping forever?”
A dozen emotions passed across Megan’s face before she settled on looking hurt. “I don’t care, as long as Mom stops being mad at
- me. Honestly, I’d break this leg myself if it helped.”
Elaine watched, scowling, kitchen knife in hand.
For a second, she looked ready to do it for her.
Just then, Ethan walked in, searching their faces. “What’s going
on?”
Chapter 21 Erwina Knows the Game
Megan opened her mouth, already leaning into the drama, but Erwina jumped in first. “Dad, Mom wants to make that dish you
and she used to cook together. For dinner.”
Ethan glanced at Elaine, who looked furious, and didn’t buy it.
Elaine caught Erwina’s eye, snorted, and muttered, “Yeah, but I
doubt you can still make it taste the same.”
His face softened. He undid his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves.
“Guess we’ll see.”
Megan sniffled loudly, fishing for attention.
Ethan turned to her, frowning at her red eyes. “Meg, why are you crying?”
Before she could answer, Erwina threw an arm around her and laughed. “She tried helping chop onions`earlier. Got through a few slices and her eyes started watering.”
She paused, then winked at Megan. “Probably best if we leave the kitchen to Mom and Dad, Meg?”
She started steering Megan toward the door.
Megan gave a dry laugh and nodded.
Upstairs, once they turned the corner, they had space to talk.
Chapter 21 Erwina Knows the Game
Erwina let go of her arm and leaned against the wall with a
smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Megan, if your leg’s hurt, go
rest. Don’t hover and bother my mom.”
“I wasn’t trying to upset her,” Megan said softly. “I didn’t think
she’d get that mad.”
“Well, she did after hearing crap like that. And for the record,
whatever happens between my parents, your mom’s never
gonna be part of this family.”
Megan narrowed her eyes and bit her lip. “What’s that supposed
to mean?”
Erwina patted her on the shoulder. “You really don’t get it? Fine.
Let me put it this way. You do want that leg to heal properly,
right?”
Megan dropped the act and glared at her. “Is that a threat?”
“Not at all. I’m just worried about you.” Erwina gave a smug little smirk and turned away.
The light overhead flickered, throwing a shadow across Megan’s face and making her look almost sinister.
Erwina didn’t care.
Chapter
She remembered something she’d read once, back on ancient
Earth, about dealing with people like Mégan: take their cue, push it further, and beat them at their own game.
