Chapter 12 Play Favorites
“I’ll find you another place for etiquette lessons, Sera,” Rashad
said.
Seryna shook her head. “Dad, don’t worry about that. You’re the head of the family and have enough on your plate.
“Actually, Grandma called on our way back. She’s got me a new
coach. I’ll take the lessons seriously, I promise.”
I
He smiled, satisfied. “That’s my girl. With your grandma
keeping an eye on things, I can breathe easy!”
He headed out soon after for a meeting.
Jennett turned to her with a frown. “Tila was trying to help. Did
you have to blow it up like that?”
Seryna gave a half smile. With Rashad gone, she didn’t need to
keep up the act.
“Ms. Willard, you spoiled your adopted daughter and let her
screw me over. Did you even stop to think what would happen
when the lies fell apart?
“I’ve been through hell since I was a kid. I just see things more
Chapter 12 Play Favorites
clearly than you.
“And I’m never calling you Mom. You don’t deserve it.”
Jennett froze and sank onto the couch, stunned by the
disappointment on her face.
The words echoed in Jennett’s head, “I’m never calling you
Mom. You don’t deserve it.”
Seryna turned to Tehila. “I don’t need to spell out what Brunell’s
family expects from his future wife. The nasty things you did-
if his grandfather catches wind of any of it, your dream of
marrying up is over.
“We could’ve stayed out of each other’s way, but you sneaked
around and set me up.
“I won’t keep forgiving you. Next time, it’ll be a cop at your door.
“You went to a top university, and this is what you learned?
Dirty tricks? Sure, maybe you’ve gotten lucky a few times. But you really think you’ll get away with it forever?”
Tehila stared into her face. “Sera, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just
wanted the coach to help.”
“Help me?” Seryna scoffed. “Then why not ask her to help you
Chapter 12 Play Favorites
ington A) Cyone tha
d is falling apart.” With that, she turned and
acts like her worl
walked out.
ef, just a dull ache in Seryna’s chest.
dness she had for them only ended up
revenge, she’d leave for good.
er go, then turned to Jennett. “Mom, Sera went
fault, but talking to you like that wasn’t okay.”
in, and Jennett leaned back against the couch.
lingered in her mind. Since the day Seryna
had gone sideways. Now they were drifting
the daughter she’d raised and spoiled, her eyes
tions. “Tila, drop the games. I promised I’d
m not letting Seryna take anything from you.
et a shot of it and Brunell’s grandmother hears
ding won’t happen. You need to be smart.
rd by blood. She’ll get her share and marry
That doesn’t affect your place in this family. As
There was no reli
That last bit of ki
hurting herself.
Once she got her
Tehila watched h
too far. It was my
The headache set
Seryna’s cold star
returned, things h
farther apart.
Jennett looked at
full of mixed emo
protect you, and I
But if the media g
about it, that wed
“Seryna is a Willa
someone decent.”
Chapter 12 Play Favorites
She wanted to be fair to Seryna, but Tehila was the result of
years of careful work. The plan had always been for Tehila to
marry into power and help carry the Willard family forward.
Tehila knew Jennett was selfish. Even so, it felt good knowing
Jennett still had her back.
“I won’t let you down, Mom. But Sera thinks the worst of you. I
don’t think she’s gonna change her mind. If you keep siding with
me, what if she starts plotting behind our backs?”
