Chapter 29
The next morning, in the bedroom. Paisley carefully tended to Serena’s wounds. Thankfully, Maris had gone back to Brightmoor for the weekend due to some family matters. If she saw Serena’s wounds, she’d be heartbroken
Maria had been with Parsley since the day Serena was born and practically raised Serena alongside Paisley. Her love for Serena was no less than a
nother’s.
Luckily, Serena’s fall yesterday had only scraped her palins. If it had been worse, Paisley wouldn’t have let go of Stella, who had hurt Serena,
As for the school, Paisley was far from done with them. She had already contacted her lawyer and planned to send a formal legal notice on Monday.
Gently disinfecting Serena’s small hands, Paisley winced every time Serena flinched from the cotton ball’s sting.
“Does it hurt a lot? Paisley asked, her voice full of concern.
“It hurts bar 1 can handle it, Serena replied, biting her lip. Tears welled up in her shiny eyes, but she stubbornly held them back.
Once the bandages were on, Paisley pulled Serena into her arms and kissed her head. “Mommy will find you a new preschool. We’re never going back there, okay?
Running to Grayson at school had been the last thing Paisley expected because Grayson wasn’t even enrolled in that preschool–be was at another elite school
When choosing a school for Serena, Paisley had deliberately avoided any areas where she might cross paths with the Vanderbilt family. Yet somehow, fate had other plans.
“Mommy, it’s alright. I can keep going there,” Serena said softly.
Despite ho
how awful the principal and some of the teachers were, she liked her teacher. Sophia, very much.
Serena continued. “Don’t worry. Mommy. I won’t bother t Grayson anymore.
Hearing Grayson’s name, Panday dified. “So, you suck that painting out of my studio just to show it to Grayson, didn’t you?
Serena nodded, looking pitiful. “But Grayson didn’t like it. Stella even tore it up. Mommy, I’m sorry…. She snuggled deeper into Paisley’s arms, her little voice sticky with remorse.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m not mad at you,” said Paisley,
There had been a day, not long after her divorce, when Paisley couldn’t stop thinking about the son she’d left behind. The overwhelming panic nearly drove her to pick up the phone and call Dominick–a number she had buried deep in her heart.
But the urge passed soon. Two hours later, the storm in her chest had quieted. That same day, she painted Grayson’s portrait, pouring all her unresolved feelings into the canvas.
One day later, Serena stumbled upon the painting and asked who the boy was. Paisley replied simply, That’s your brother,”
What Paisley hadn’t anticipated was how deeply Serena would remember those words.
As she gently stroked Serena’s hair, Paisley began to say. “Rena, I know you want to talk to Grayson. But he doesn’t know you yet, and that’s why he didn’t like you. Remember, love has to go both ways. You can’t make everyone like you, can you?”
Serena nodded, her face earnest despite her limited understanding. I get it. Mommy
Paisley held her close, a bittersweet ache wigging at her heart.
She had once believed the same naive notion that giving her whole heart would mean being loved in return. But life had taught her otherwise. This lesson made it easier for her to let go
Just then, a ringtone broke through her thoughts. From the living room, Paisley’s phone chimed with an incoming video call
Before she could move. Serena wriggled out of her arms and hurried to grab the phone
“Mom, who’s Gregory?” Serena asked, her curiosity piqued. At three years old, she had learned quite a few names already.
Paisley’s eyebrows shot up slightly at the mention of that name. It had been years since Gregory had been a part of her life.
