The Verdict on My Husband the Judge: GUILTY novel Chapter 24

My parents had one rule: they kept score, but they never refereed.

Blair and I could scream, hit, tear each other apart–they wouldn’t blink.

“We’re not playing judge and jury,” Mom said. “You want something? Take it. Can’t take it? Then sit down.”

“And don’t tattle,” Dad added. “We’ll punish the snitch.”

I could never beat Blair.

She was bigger, meaner. Snacks, toys, clothes–she took everything. If I fought back, she’d pound me into the ground.

So I stopped trying.

Then my cat Pumpkin got sick.

I’d been saving for months–babysitting, mowing lawns. Three hundred forty–seven dollars in an old shoebox behind my dresser.

When I pulled it out, it was empty.

Just a Post–it in Blair’s handwriting: “Finders keepers.”

I found her in her room, surrounded by shopping bags.

“Give it back.”

She didn’t look up. “Already spent it.”

“That was for Pumpkin–he’s sick-”

“Then he’s screwed.”

I went at her. She had me on the floor in seconds, fist to my face, laughing.

I ran to the kitchen, bleeding.

“Mom–Blair stole my money–Pumpkin’s dying-”

Mom kept chopping vegetables.

You know the rules, Stella. You two work it out. I’m not getting involved.”

Chapter 1

…

I grabbed Mom’s sleeve, words coming out in gasps.

“Pumpkin’s really sick. He’s burning up–he won’t even open his eyes.”

She pushed my hand away. “Stella. You know how this works

“No tattling. You want your money? Go take it back.”

“I CAN’T-” My throat was closing up. “I’ve NEVER won! Mom, please-”

She wouldn’t budge. Wouldn’t even glance at Pumpkin curled up in the corner, barely breathing,

“If that cat dies, it’s because you didn’t protect him.” Her voice was flat. “I told you not to get a pet. You promised you’d handle it. So stop crying to me now.”

Behind her, Blair was making faces. Mouthing loser.

Mom yanked free and walked out.

I touched my side where Blair’s nails had broken skin. Looked at Pumpkin, eyes half–shut, trembling in his basket.

I had nothing to offer. But I had to try.

“Give me the money back,” I said, voice shaking. “I’ll do all your homework. Every assignment. And all the chores–you’ll never have to do another one.”

Blair had been taking from me my whole life. Food off my plate. Birthday checks from Grandma. Even the seventy bucks Uncle Matt gave me for babysitting his kids last Christmas–I’d hidden it inside the breaker box in the hallway, and she still found it.

She pumped her fist in the air, grinning.

“Nah. But you’re doing all that stuff anyway. ‘Cause you’re a weakass little bitch who can’t stop me.”

Something in me snapped.

“Then forget it. I won’t lift a finger for you.”

She tackled me before I finished the sentence.

Had me on the ground, one hand pinning both my wrists. I rashed but couldn’t break free. Her fist came down–cheek, mouth, ear.

I was sobbing, screaming, choking on my own spit.

Chapter 1

Dad’s footsteps in the hallway.

He glanced in.

Kept walking.

Blair leaned down, still smiling.

“Guess I’ll just kick your ass every single day then.”

(0)