Chapter 54q: The Poisoned Well

It's been two days since the verdict. And yet I cannot help but find myself drawn to re-read it over and over and over.

There has to be more to it.

Information that escapes my attention.

Something to explain this result.

Even the loud rock&roll music Cain has demonstratively put on in his room doesn't annoy me as much as this.

Okay. From the top. One more time.

'After a long discussion with Setsuka Heel outside of the influence of those dear to her, it is the opinion of the judge presiding over this court that many of the parties concerned have applied a considerable pressure on her to speak in favor of them.'

My teeth clench unwittingly as I grip the paper. Nobody plays fair. Can't they just let her speak the truth?

'To find that a child is being manipulated to such a degree by those around her - by those who are supposed to support and care for her no less - is an utter disgrace.'

You are damn right it is! She's Matilda's little apple, the bastion of her grace and purity, the most important person in this damn household! Screw that manipulative bullshit of those people worming their way into her heart!

'Because of this, the hands of this court are tied. The wishes and desires of Setsuka are paramount in these deliberations, yet there is no knowing what she has been told to say, told to feel or told not to express. When she remains silent, is she trying to protect someone she cares for, or is she trying to absolve someones wrath?'

What does that even mean? That last sentence; is someone threatening to physically harm her? That could not be. Not on the other side. Impossible.

If that were the case, she'd obviously have come back home where she belongs. With me.

.. And Cain.

Fucking Cain.

Of course.

That damn boy..!

"Cain!"

I bark out angrily as I turn my wheelchair, starting to move towards the hallway and slam on the closed door. "CAIN!"

Several moments later, he finally opens the door. Look at that cheeky grin. He's enjoying this. He's fucking enjoying this. The precocious twat!

"What the FUCK did you do? Tell me!"

My hand has crumpled up the written verdict, but he is just giving me that uncaring stare. Those cold eyes with the scary rage that simmers within.

"I did nothing but tell her what I thought was best for her."

"You... YOU...!"

I slam the verdict down on the ground, wanting so badly to just stand up and tower over the damn kid, perhaps give him a slap in the face as he damn well deserves. His hand-turned-fist only manages to emphasize his utter disrespect for me more and more.

"Whatever you said.. the fucking judge now thinks you might hurt her! That is why I... no, WE LOST SETSUKA. Because of your fucking toxic behaviour that just had to meddle while not understanding anything! You stupid boy!"

And now he explodes..! I flinch back, seeing his fist come at me... but somehow, it seems he holds back from punching me at the last moment.

"Fuck off, 'dad'! _YOU_ were the one to fucking _FORCE_ her into this to begin with!"

"No, fuck you. Your sister wanted things to be AS THEY WERE. To live with you and me. THAT is what SHE wanted!"

The pain on his face is just a bit satisfactory, and rather than deal with the punch I truly expect that stupid boy to throw out, he slams the door back into my face with a force that ought to blow it off the hinges.

"YOU are TOXIC, Cain. TOXIC! An utter fucking WASTE of human DNA!"

I yell this at the closed door before picking the crumpled verdict back up from the floor, and as I turn back I can hear his answer.

Apparently he hadn't reached the volume ceiling of that stereo set before now.

... Sigh... At least I won't have to call Zoe myself this time. If the neighbors don't call in this kind of racket, I'd be disappointed in the state of modern society.