"This was not about winning a popularity contest. It was not about winning at all. It was about the kids."
"Victoria, I can help."
"Really? Because all you did back there was nix my chances of keeping custody of the kids. You going on and on about your money and power didn't help jack shit. On the contrary, you just gave Hervis reasons to paint you as a raging lunatic and me as an idiot for allowing you anywhere near the kids." I want to cry out in rage, to drill in to his skull just how much harm he’s done, but I keep my voice as low as possible for Chloe's sake, hoping she can't hear us from inside the car.
"I know it wasn't my finest moment, but I can help."
"You heard Hervis. It's best if you stay away."
"But—"
"You plan to threaten the judge and who knows who else just like you did with Hervis?" Christopher's expression is stricken. "You've done enough. This… mess? That was your help."
Chapter Thirty-One
Victoria
When I finally climb into the car, Chloe is asleep, probably exhausted from all the crying and sobbing. I swallow a sob of my own, not wanting to wake her up. I barely keep it together on the way home. She jolts out of her sleep as I park the car in front of our house.
"Victoria!" That's all she manages to utter before sobbing again. In less than a minute, I climb out of the car and join her in the backseat.
"Are you giving us away?" she whispers, breaking my heart into a million pieces.
"No, sweetheart. Of course not. There's been a misunderstanding, that's all." My voice falters, unsure how to put what’s happening into words—words that won't scare the living daylights out of her.
"Chloe, I am not giving you away. I love you."
Her sobs subside a little, but she still doesn't look convinced.
"But what if they take us away?" Chloe presses. "Will you still want us back?"
"Of course, sweetheart, but no one will take you away." Freeing her from the car seat, I pull her into a hug. "I love you to the moon and back."
"To the sun," Chloe corrects. "The sun is farther away."
"I love you all to the sun and back," I say, my voice uneven again. "Everything will be all right. Let's go to Lucas and Sienna."
I briefly considered not telling Lucas and Sienna about the possibility that they'll be taken away from me by the end of the week, but that wouldn't do anyone any good. They need to be prepared, and Chloe already knows and she could never keep the secret.
Breaking the news to my other two siblings almost undoes me. Lucas goes into shock, asking if they could move in with Aunt Christina. My heart breaks as I deliver my answer: a firm no.
Right after our parents died, when my abilities as a guardian were being questioned, I naively thought Aunt Christina could just sign up to be their guardian if the kids were taken away. The problem is that once the kids are in the state’s custody, a potential guardian must be deemed fit by the authorities. Because Aunt Christina is a homemaker and her husband is the only breadwinner in the family, it was determined that their household income could not sustain three additional children.
Sienna keeps remarkably calm, given that she knows the ramifications of all of this.
"I know a great lawyer," I tell her, thinking about Alan. "He'll help us. I have to call him."
With a nod, she directs her attention to the little ones, who are sitting on the couch, hugging each other.
"Chloe, Lucas, you both have to go to bed," she says. "It's late. Come on, let's get both of you upstairs."
As soon as they’re out of earshot, I call Aunt Christina. I know she can't help, but I just need to talk to someone who isn’t the kids about this. Christopher… I can't talk to him just yet.
I relay to Aunt Christina what happened beat by beat, barely holding it together.
"I'm really sorry about this. I'll fix it," I say.
"I know it's not your fault, Victoria. State agencies are very rigid. But a great lawyer will get you out of this mess."