Chapter 3 Confrontation
}
Kolten
esitated. He was lovala
and dared not hide the
truth. He replied in a trembling voice, “Ms. Tehila said that since
Ms. Seryna was from the slums, she should stay in the attic for a while before moving back into a proper room.”
room:
as she
“What?” Seryna froze in disbelief, eyes full of grievance turned to Devona. “Grandma, I’m my parents‘ biological daughter, yet the adopted one wants me to live in the attic, thinking that I came from the slums! It seems I’m not welcome here. I might as well leave.”
Tehila could play the victim; so could she.
Rage contorted Tehila’s face. She was about to faint from
anger.
When they first brought Seryna back, she seemed dull and obedient. How had she suddenly become so sharp–tongued?
Jennett’s face darkened in embarrassment. Rashad looked even more grim.
Seryna’s gaze swept across the room, taking in their shifting expressions. Deep down, she felt a surge of satisfaction.
In her past life, for the sake of family harmony, she had endured
Chapter 3 Confrontation
the humiliation and moved into the attic, only for these people
to treat her even worse.
Tehila tried to explain herself, but Devona had lost her temper.
“Tehila, do you really think you’re the real deal here?! If not for
that vile mom of yours, you’d be the the
ne from the slums! You
look just like your mom, sharp–faced and sly! Tell me, what good.
could ever come from a face like that?!”
After venting her anger, she turned to Rashad and Jennett. “You
two must have gone mad! Pampering the maid’s daughter while
making your own daughter live in the attic?! Rashad, you’re the
head of this family. How could you treat your daughter this
way?!
“Look at how malicious that maid is. And then look at the
daughter she produced! Keeping her in this house is asking for
trouble!”
Rashad looked at Seryna, his face full of guilt. “Mom, I didn’t
know any of this.””
Jennett turned toward Seryna. “Sera, don’t blame Tila. She has been spoiled since she was little and can’t accept your return right away. Don’t hold it against her. You can live in whichever room you want.”
“Hmph.” Seryna sneered. “Mom, are you seriously asking the
Chapter 3 Confrontation
victim to be more understanding of the one who hurt her?
“How ridiculous! By agreeing with her, you’re saying I’m the
shabby, unworthy girl who doesn’t deserve a place in this
house, right?”
How absurd!
This had all happened before, and yet, she still held on to some foolish longing for the last thread of familial affection.
Jennett was caught off guard. Meeting those tearful eyes, she felt agitated.
Seryna’s voice turned cold. “Mom, what about the suffering I endured and the pain I went through? Who has ever shown
A
understanding for me? Tehila stole my place and lived in
luxury, while I, your real daughter, suffered innocently. And you’re asking me to be the understanding one? It seems you don’t welcome me back.”
Jennett choked on her words, then shot Seryna a sharp glare. How had this girl become so sharp–tongued?
es
Instinctively, she moved to defend Tehila. “What does this have to do with Tila? She was just a baby back then, and she didn’t know anything. She’s a victim too.”
Chapter 3 Confrontation
Seryna turned to Devona, her voice trembling with deeper
grievance. “Grandma, I was also a baby, and I was a victim
myself. But Mom chose to shower love on the daughter of her
enemy and treat me like a burden. Fine then, since you’ve
decided to keep her, I’ll leave.”
Rashad said, “Sera, don’t say that. Tila has been pampered her
whole life. She wouldn’t be able to survive without us.”
Seryna sneered. So, they couldn’t bear to part with Tehila. She
kept her tone steady and firm. “You have a point, but I’ve
survived beatings and hunger since I was little. People develop
feelings even for a kitten or puppy they keep, let alone a
pampered girl they’ve nurtured since birth. Dad, I know you
can’t bear to part with Tehila, and I understand. But I hope you
can understand that I am your real daughter! I don’t mean to
look down on that maid, but she’s a despicable person. I’ve said
what needed to be said. Dad, please understand how I feel.”
In her past life, she had naively believed that blood ties would
mean something and that her family would care for her.
But in the end, she was killed by her own family.
She wouldn’t be so foolish again.
