Chapter 12 Play Favorites " I'll find you another place for etiquette lessons , Sera , " Rashad said . Seryna shook her head . " Dad , don't worry about that . You're the head of the family and have enough on your plate . " Actually , Grandma called on our way back . She's got me a new coach . I'll take the lessons seriously , I promise . " I He smiled , satisfied . " That's my girl . With your grandma keeping an eye on things , I can breathe easy ! " He headed out soon after for a meeting . Jennett turned to her with a frown . " Tila was trying to help . Did you have to blow it up like that ? " Seryna gave a half smile . With Rashad gone , she didn't need to keep up the act . " Ms. Willard , you spoiled your adopted daughter and let her screw me over . Did you even stop to think what would happen when the lies fell apart ? " I've been through hell since I was a kid . I just see things more Chapter 12 Play Favorites clearly than you . " And I'm never calling you Mom . You don't deserve it ." Jennett froze and sank onto the couch , stunned by the disappointment on her face . The words echoed in Jennett's head , " I'm never calling you Mom . You don't deserve it ." Seryna turned to Tehila . " I don't need to spell out what Brunell's family expects from his future wife . The nasty things you did- if his grandfather catches wind of any of it , your dream of marrying up is over . " We could've stayed out of each other's way , but you sneaked around and set me up . " I won't keep forgiving you . Next time , it'll be a cop at your door . " You went to a top university , and this is what you learned ? Dirty tricks ? Sure , maybe you've gotten lucky a few times . But you really think you'll get away with it forever ? " Tehila stared into her face . " Sera , I didn't mean to hurt you . I just wanted the coach to help . " " Help me ? " Seryna scoffed . " Then why not ask her to help you Chapter 12 Play Favorites ington A ) Cyone tha d is falling apart . " With that , she turned and acts like her worl walked out . ef , just a dull ache in Seryna's chest . dness she had for them only ended up revenge , she'd leave for good . er go , then turned to Jennett . " Mom , Sera went fault , but talking to you like that wasn't okay . " in , and Jennett leaned back against the couch . lingered in her mind . Since the day Seryna had gone sideways . Now they were drifting the daughter she'd raised and spoiled , her eyes tions . " Tila , drop the games . I promised I'd m not letting Seryna take anything from you . et a shot of it and Brunell's grandmother hears ding won't happen . You need to be smart . rd by blood . She'll get her share and marry That doesn't affect your place in this family . As There was no reli That last bit of ki hurting herself . Once she got her Tehila watched h too far . It was my The headache set Seryna's cold star returned , things h farther apart . Jennett looked at full of mixed emo protect you , and I But if the media g about it , that wed " Seryna is a Willa someone decent . " Chapter 12 Play Favorites She wanted to be fair to Seryna , but Tehila was the result of years of careful work . The plan had always been for Tehila to marry into power and help carry the Willard family forward . Tehila knew Jennett was selfish . Even so , it felt good knowing Jennett still had her back . " I won't let you down , Mom . But Sera thinks the worst of you . I don't think she's gonna change her mind . If you keep siding with me , what if she starts plotting behind our backs ? "