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.
“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.
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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.
“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.
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Chapter 11 Keep the Game Going
“Dad, I get it. I meant well, but I messed up. It won’t happen again,” Tehila replied softly, her head lowered.
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Just thinking about how the incident nearly cost her Brunell 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.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.