Chapter 11 Keep the Game Going
“Dad, I don’t hold it against Tehila,” Seryna began slowly with a
sigh. “But what she did was a total embarrassment for the
Willard family. After everything we’ve given her, she still can’t
accept me. If she keeps this up, she’s only going to destroy
herself.
“She’s had etiquette training, right? So why is she acting like
this? It brings bad luck to the family.
“Why not give me a small company to run? Let me prove
myself.”
Back then, whenever a rumor came up, Tehila would blame
Seryna. She’d say the Willard family had been doing just fine
until Seryna came back, and Seryna was a curse.
This time, she’d beat Tehila at her own game and leave her no
way out.
Rashad raised an eyebrow. He knew how humiliating things.
had been earlier. He used to think Tehila was sweet and
sensible, but now, he wasn’t sure.
Then he drove Seryna home himself.
Chapter 11 Keep the Game Going
J
“I’ll take care of it. I’ve got your back!” he said.
At the Willard’s house, Tehila already knew the truth. She was
curled up in Jennett’s arms, crying.
“Tila, don’t cry. It breaks my heart to see you like this. Just
explain everything when your dad gets back. It’ll pass,” Jennett
said softly.
Right then, the door opened. Rashad and Seryna were back.
Tehila shot up, nervous. “Dad, Sera, that was all a
misunderstanding. The etiquette coach misread what I said. I
just wanted her to guide Sera better. I swear I didn’t mean
anything else. I have no idea why she accused me of that.”
She looked at Seryna, unsteady on her feet. “Sera, I’m sorry.
Whatever you say, I’ll do it. Just please forgive me.”
She had no idea how Seryna figured it out. With the livestream,
Tehila’s reputation was wrecked.
And explaining things to the Fortin family was going to be
tough.
Seryna smiled at her with cold eyes. Tehila was slick, twisting
her way through the whole mess without even breaking a
sweat.
Chapter 11 Keep the Game Going
“Tila, I get it,” Seryna said firmly. “My coming back probably
made you feel insecure. But I never asked you to leave. So why
do you keep coming at me? The Willard family is very well-
respected in Calford, and people talk. If your reputation’s
tanking, that’s on you. Not me.
“I’m not looking to fight. I just want you to understand if there’s
no peace in this house, nothing else is gonna work.”
That last line was exactly what Rashad wanted to hear.
He spoke up. “Tehila, if this happens again, I won’t let you off
the hook. Look at Sera. She’s forgiving and capable. You should
learn from her.
“You’re not getting an allowance this month. And if nothing
changes, you’re moving to the attic.”
Tehila nodded without protest, quietly relieved. She knew
they’d forgive her and love her like they used to, once the truth
came out.
If she wanted Seryna gone, she’d have to change tactics.
“Dad, I get it. I meant well, but I messed up. It won’t happen.
again,” Tehila replied softly, her head lowered.
Just thinking about how the incident nearly cost her Brunell
Chapter 11 Keep the Game Going
made her glare at Seryna.
Her face twisted in anger.
In Tehila’s view, everyone in this family was selfish. The only
reason she was still here was because Brunell loved her deeply.
Seryna’s lips curled into a quiet sneer. The punishment felt
underwhelming.
In her last life, Rashad slapped her twice, and Jennett called her
a loser, saying she was dragging the family’s name through the
mud.
Those furious, hateful eyes had burned into Seryna’s memory.
Back then, she was sad and indignant, unable to understand her
parents‘ reaction. She would’ve done anything to make them see
how hard she’d tried.
And none of what Tehila accused her of was true.
But every single one of them was cruel and selfish to the core.
Rashad let it go after Tehila apologized.
Seryna narrowed her eyes, thinking, “A second chance at life.
Fine. I’ll play along and keep the game going.”
