Chapter 13
Serena’s small body hit the ground with a soft thud, her delicate little hand slammed down, and the skin was scraped raw
A sharp sting shot through her palm, but it was the crumpled drawing she was clutching that sent a wave of panic through her. The rough friction of the fall had to the edges, leaving a ragged tear on the once–perfect paper.
“My mommy’s drawing. Serena cried out, her voice wavering with distress.
She barely registered the pain in her hand, too focused on the artwork she held so dearly. She quickly examined the picture, her eyes scanning for any damage to Grayson’s face on the painting, the one she’d been so certain was her brother.
Thankfully, the damage was minor–just a tear along the edge. The image of Grayson was still intact, and she let out a relieved breath
Her attention shifted to the person who had shoved her. Standing above her, with a smug, triumphant look, was none other than Stella–the same girl who had slapped her hand last time.
Serena’s thoughts raced. This girl is so mean, always stopping me from talking to Sonny, always bullying me. But.. Sonny seems to like this girl a lot. Well, I’ll just have to put up with her this time”
With a small huff, Serena quickly pulled herself together. She stood up, brushing the dirt off her skirt, her gaze never leaving the girl who had caused her harm.
But instead of confronting Stella, she focused on what mattered most–the drawing. She unfolded the paper carefully and held it out in front of Grayson.
“Look” Serena said, her voice full of determination, “this drawing is of you. It was made by Mommy. See? I didn’t lie. You really are my brother” She held the portrait up to Grayson’s face, her eyes wide with hope, as if this single picture could make everything fall into place. Grayson’s eyes widened as he took in the portrait. He froze for a moment,
The face staring back at him from the paper was undeniably his own, but there was something about the smile in the drawing–so carefree–that made him feelapang of something unfamiliar in his chest.
It had been so long since he had smiled like that. She said Mom drew this…
o bright, so
Stella, standing nearby and gritting her teeth, saw the flicker of recognition and interest in Grayson’s eyes. Her small fists clenched at her sides as a sharp pang of jealousy flared up.
Marissa’s words from that morning replayed in her head. That linle kid is really
cute–c
-cuter than you.
Now, looking at Serena holding the drawing and smiling adorably, Stella felt an uncomfortable knot tighten in her chest. Grayson was clearly captivated, and she couldn’t stand it.
Who cares about that stupid drawing?
of Serena’s hands, ripping it away with a forceful yank.
Stella snapped, storming toward Serena with a dark glint in her eyes. In a flash, she snatched the picture out
Before Serena could react, Stella tore the paper in half with a vicious rip, the sound sharp and satisfying in the tense silence.
With a cold smirk, Stella tossed the torn remains of the drawing into the trash can by the little fountain, watching as it landed with a sickening splat,
Serena stood frozen, shock and disbelief flooding her face. Her small chest rose and fell rapidly as her mind struggled to process what had just happened.
For a split second, everything seemed to blur–her focus entirely on the picture she had spent so much time believing in, the one she’d ho
oped would connect her to the brother she desperately wanted to End
In a daze, Serena dashed toward the trash can, her hands trembling. She bent down, reaching into the filthy, smelly bin, hoping against hope to retrieve the ruined paper
But when she pulled out, she saw that the pictu the ink bleeding and smeared
picture was beyond saving–the edges soaked with the dirty water that had leaked from the trash can,
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