73. You Are Worthless

**Serene**

Clearly what she said didn't get through to her at all. Matter of fact she might as well have said nothing since the dragon continued anyway as if she had never heard her.

"Okay? Wow you have quite a mouth on you," Jenifer chuckled. "Now, can you try to be grown up and take this seriously? Are you or aren't you going to help me."

Serene shook her head, trying to hold back a laugh. "I don't care about what you want to do, as long as you don't try to drag me into it."

It was silent on the other end for a few seconds.

"So is that a yes?"

She rolled her eyes. "No, Jenifer. I don't want to get mixed up in your sh-t."

"Huh, interesting."

*Yes, very interesting. Now take your interest and go far away from me.*

As much as Serene might have preferred it, instead of the call hanging up Jenifer was kind enough to laugh at her.

"Pity." Serene swore her lips were smacking together. "It could have been a good way to repay me for all the time I spent putting up with you. A shame you ended up this way, really. Ungrateful."

That, there it was again. That bitchy tone that woman always took with her when she didn't get what she wanted.

The robe pulled apart as Serene shot up immediately. "Ungrateful? Ungrateful?! Are you really calling me ungrateful after all the shit you pulled? I could barely take a step in my own damn house without you coming after me! You kicked me out of my room and moved me to the attic! I can't remember a time I even got to eat without your permission!"

"Oh, stop being so dramatic! Without me you wouldn't have had a place to sleep when Johnny's relatives turned their backs on you. And I didn't have to."

"Yeah, wow. Thank you for doing the bare *minimum* for the daughter of the man you married!"

"Yes but so what? I didn't have to. I would be in my full rights to kick you out after Johny died."

"But you had to because you wanted the money my Dad left me."

"Lies. You're acting like I abused you or something? Only parents can abuse you, and guess what I am?"

"A witch?"

"Haha, funny. You know what else is funny? You seem to have forgotten that when you left here, without telling anyone mind you, your family documents were still in my possession." Dramatic pause. "Oops. If only you had told me, then *maybe* I could have given them to you."

The brunette dragged her fingers through her hair. Why did this woman have to keep going? She knew she made a mistake when she left so quickly, but that darn Leonard put out a hit on her! What was she supposed to do? Sit down and relax while they hunted her down? No one needed to remind her of her mistakes, especially not Jenifer.

"And another thing, brat. Did you forget I can just go to the Kings and expose how much you've been lying to them? If you don't help me that's what's going to happen."

"Yeah, how could I forget," Serene smirked. At least with this she could pull one over her. "I'll do you one better. I'll tell them myself."

A quiet pause.

"No you won't."

"Yes, I will."

"Idiot."

"What?"

"Whether it be Elaine Harper or Henry King, or even that son who might not even get the crown, none of them cares."

"You're lying." It became increasingly hard to bite back her tears. It felt like cold, heavy stones were pressed against her chest, threatening to climb up her throat and stop her breathing. "Not everyone is as awful as you."

"No, but that doesn't mean everyone has common sense. If they really wanted to find you, why didn't they look for you?" Serene didn't answer. "Exactly, and yet you think they consider you as someone worth caring about. What, just because they worked with your parents?"

"You...you..." Dammit, why couldn't she talk? "They most likely had their reasons. And my parents weren't just coworkers to them. Why else would they have a portrait of my mom, huh? I won't l-let you try and deceive me like this."

"How is it my fault that you're unable to handle the truth?" Once again, her heartwretching laugh traveled through the speaker. "You're worthless, Serene Rosaline Depp. Always were and always will be. There is nothing someone like you can offer them. In the end, you'll just become a liability, just like you were to me."

Jenifer's words carried weight and she knew it. It was proven by the lack of a response from Serene. Surely she would realize she's not as great as she thinks and resume her submissiveness, just like she always does when Jenifer reminds her of her place.

Jenifer heard some short lived sniffles on the other end before Serene started talking again. "Regardless of what you say, I already made up my mind. F-ck off, b-tch. I hope your plan fails."

Before she could get a word in and berate her again, Serene hung up the call, curled into a ball and cried.

She cried for what she considered to be ten minutes, big ugly wails filling the room.

The mattress below her head transformed from dry to damp. Her cheeks were as hot as the evening sun coming in from the window. Her mind raced with thoughts, but she knew she couldn't face them right then. At least, not until she heard her phone ringing again.

Since it was coming from her old one, she figured it was that woman calling to cuss her off. But when she picked up the phone to hang up, she stopped herself. Above the caller ID sat a notification letting its owner know *Leo De Vil* sent a photo. *Leo De Vil* was also requesting a video call. Without thinking, she accepted it.

"Hey, I sent you a text and didn't see you reply and I had no interest in waiting so-" Leonard took in Serene's wet face and red skin. "What the hell happened?"

It was dark but she could recognise certain aspects of his room. From the blue walls to the well-arranged stationary on his desk.

She shook her head, using her free hand to cover her mouth. "It's nothing. I don't wanna talk about it."

"Serene,"he said in a low, soft voice. "I would rather you tell me instead of keeping it to yourself. Did someone do something to you? Who did it? You don't have to talk, you can just text me the name."

Instead of answering, the young girl chose to take several deep breaths through her mouth. He waited patiently on the outside, but on the inside his heart shook with unease.

On the other hand, Serene felt grateful for his presence. He kept quiet and allowed her to regain her composure. With his willingness to wait on her instead of rushing her, she felt more relaxed.

"Jenifer called me a few minutes ago," Serene admitted. She used the back of her hand to wipe her eyes.

Leo snarled. "That b-tch."

Serene nodded.

"I need to talk to your parents," the words managed to escape her lips. "I need you here."

"I'll be there in four hours," he responded right away, standing up. "Wait for me."

Before she could say anything else, Leo ended the call. She brought the device to her chest and held it there. Her lips curved into a smile and she closed her eyes, finally feeling comforted.