“Keep Annabeth company. Got it?” Sharon Lindt told Josh Batton, gazing at him solemnly as he nodded obediently.

At that moment, Annabeth Cates felt like they were treating her like a child.

Holding Wilson Batton’s hand, Sharon then walked into the kitchen, leaving Josh behind to watch television with Annabeth in his arms.

“I feel bad. Are you sure we don’t need to help your parents? They must be tired from all the work recently.”

“You heard what they said, right? They asked me to keep you company, so they would be angry if I go in there. They’ll be even more upset if you go in there and probably yell at me,” he told her.

“All right, then.”

“Anyway, I’ve discovered that you're now the most important person in this house, while I’m the least important,” he said.

“Do you feel disappointed?” Annabeth asked when she heard this.

“Why should I feel disappointed that my parents are good to you? I’d only feel that way if the opposite were true. Like, for instance, Sebastian’s parents...