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Tears streamed down my cheeks as the video ended. As hard as it was to watch, I needed to see it. Because no matter what these rich kids in Windham threw my way, I’d handle it. I’d learned from the best. My dad had been a fighter. All the way to the bitter end, he’d fought. Fought to stay here for me. Fought to stay here for my mom. Fought until he couldn’t fight anymore.
Sure, I’d been through hell. But, nothing these people did would make me cower. I’d fight like my dad fought. He wouldn’t expect anything less from me.
Seren
I stormed into the house after a bad fucking day at school. I hated when things were out of my control, and things at school suddenly felt like they’d taken an unexpected turn—without my permission.
“Oh, Seren. I didn’t know you were home already.” My mother stood at the kitchen island, dark circles plaguing the areas beneath her eyes.
“You look like shit.”
“Mouth, Seren,” she reprimanded. “I don’t feel well. I’m having those sharp stomach pains again. I was up all night.”
“Don’t you think you should see a doctor?” I paused. “Actually, it didn’t help dad, so you’ll probably end up like him whether you go or not.”
“Youwouldlike that, wouldn’t you?” she snapped. “Me six feet under?”
I shrugged. “You’d be reunited with your one true love, wouldn’t you?”
She rolled her eyes. “Another dig at Martine?Really? I thought you’d gotten past your animosity toward him.”
“Never happening,” I assured her.
“Oh, that’s right. You’ve got it all figured out.”
“That’s right,Mother.” The word dripped off my tongue with disdain. She was anything but a mother. “I know all your secrets.”
“Try thinking of someone other than yourself for a change,” she spat.
Her words stung, especially since she was the most selfish person I knew—and that was saying a lot given I lived in Windham.
“Did you want me to grow old alone?” she asked, laying on the drama. “Would that have made the almighty Seren Grayson happy?”
“Nothing makes me happy. Thanks for that.” I turned away and walked out. The sight of her made me sick.
Grace
I arrived back at the manor shortly before my shift in the kitchen and spotted Seren shooting baskets alone. I ignored him and headed toward the house.
“What? No tongue lashing?” he called. “Is yourpridetoo hurt?”
I stopped in my tracks, turning slowly toward him. “You would be enjoying this.”
“Enjoying what? Watching my people remind you of your place?” He shot a basket as if he hadn’t just started the conversation.
“I’m glad you lump yourself together with them. You’re just as much of an asshole.”
“Never said I wasn’t.”
Something about the cavalier way he said it struck me. “Oh, my God.” How had I not realized it? “Youcalled my school.”
His eyes narrowed. “What?”
“You told my school that I moved here.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
A humorless laugh escaped me as I examined his face, looking for even the slightest show of remorse. I found nothing. “Why are you trying to destroy my life? Because I found you in the pool house with some whore? It’s not like you try to hide it. Or, was it the food in your lap? If it was either of those things, I’ve gotta tell you, what you’re doing to me is a hundred times worse.”
