Chapter 60
Natalie’s brows furrowed sharply, her eyes turning dark. “She’s your grandma, Sientia. Have some respect.”
Without another word, she pushed past Sienna and strode inside. She hadn’t come to the Spencer residence to deal with her. Vera was the only reason she was there.
As Natalie stepped into the house, Sienna’s lips curled into a sinister smile. She couldn’t wait to see how long Natalie’s smugness would last.
Natalie hurried toward the staircase. She was just about to take the first step when Daphne appeared at the top, coming down.
Something about Daphne seemed different today—her sharp, biting tone was gone. “Vera just fell asleep, Natalie. Don’t go up there now. Wait until she wakes up.”
Natalie’s eyes stayed fixed on the upper floor, her feet rooted in place.
Seeing her hesitation, Daphne tried to cozy up to her. “Since you’ve come all this way, you might as well stay for dinner. The kitchen’s already made the meal. With Victor and your dad gone, it’s just me and Sienna. The place feels so dull. Having you here would really brighten things up.”
Kindness out of nowhere? There was always a catch.
Natalie looked intently upstairs, and suddenly, it all made sense. Her cold eyes shifted to Daphne, whose discomfort was immediate.
Daphne moved closer and took Natalie’s hand, her face stretched into a sickly sweet smile. “I know you resent me, Natalie, but I did raise you for 18 years. We may not be blood–related, but you’ve always been like a daughter to me. And seeing how far you’ve come, I really am happy for you.”
Daphne’s attempts to get closer didn’t soften Natalie. If anything, they only made her more guarded. She had long known bad people didn’t change. Time passed, but they stayed the same.
She gently removed Daphne’s hand. “Mrs. Spencer, just say what you mean.”
Daphne’s hand lingered awkwardly in the air, her eyes flashing with something sharp and ugly before she quickly masked it.
She forced a pained smile. “I only want to fix things between us, Natalie. Can’t you at least give me that chance?”
Nearby, Sienna mocked, “Mom, I told you–Natalie’s just an ungrateful snake. Now that she’s made something of herself, she thinks she’s too good for the Spencers.”
She crossed her arms and stepped closer, her voice thick with sarcasm. “Let’s be honest, Natalie. Like it or not, you owe every success you’ve had to the Spencers‘ upbringing.”
Natalie’s hands tightened slightly into fists, a silent sneer burning inside her.
So, this was their idea of “raising” her?
Undermining her work at every opportunity? Breaking her down with relentless pressure? Nearly destroying her hands to stop her from creating? Stealing her future by altering her college applications?
What a fucking joke their “raising” was.
Natalie gave a quiet snort. “And what if I refuse to acknowledge it?
Sienna bit out every word, “Like mother, like daughter. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. You’re just as rotten as she was
a worthless bitch through and through.”
The second the words left Sienna’s mouth, Natalie’s hand cracked across her face, the slap sharp and unrestrained.
Sienna’s eyes blazed. “Natalie!”
Chapter 60
+25 BONUS
4
Natalie’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “Mrs. Spencer, if we’re family like you say, I’m just doing my part by correcting Sienna’s disrespect. Seems fair, don’t you think?”
Daphne’s heart went out to Sienna, but their plan left her no choice. She forced down her anger. “You’re right, Natalie. Sienna stepped out of line.”
Natalie knew their game–good cop, bad cop–just waiting to spring the trap on her. Fine. If that was how they wanted to play, they couldn’t complain when she took her share first.
Her gaze locked onto Sienna’s, challenging her to make a move.
