Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Chapter 211

In the mirror's reflection, Serena watched as Bella crept toward her, clutching a wooden stick in trembling hands.

"Do you really think you can kill me with that?" Serena's voice was calm, almost bored, as she lowered her gaze and continued washing her hands at the sink.

Bella startled so badly that she dropped the stick, the clatter echoing in the tiled bathroom. Only then did she seem to remember the large mirror above the sink- and that Serena had seen her coming all along.

Shaking the water from her hands, Serena turned around. A faint, mocking smile played at her lips as she took in Bella's messy hair, clearly yanked during their earlier fight. "Looks like I went too easy on you last time," she murmured.

Bella's eyes widened in panic. "What are you going to do? If you lay a finger on me-I swear, I'll tell Mom to cut you off for good!"

Serena couldn't help but laugh at that. After her father was gone, nothing had terrified her more than the thought of Penelope casting her out, leaving her truly alone in the world. Every time Bella made that threat, Serena would surrender- handing over whatever Bella wanted, even her most treasured possessions.

But those days were gone. She'd grown up. The threat didn't matter anymore.

tone was sharp, but Serena didn't flinch. Bella had noticed the change. On her last visit, Serena had still seemed a little like her old self. Now, her eyes were

like Gabrielle-what if she snapped

Bella cowered, shielding her head with her arms.

"What did you just

halted. Emboldened, she sneered, "You killed your own father, remember? Maybe you've forgotten, but the rest of us

cold as ice.

a hundred times,

shot out, gripping Bella's

wrist, panic flooding her eyes as she struggled

her words sharp and deliberate. "I dare you to say it

washed over Bella. Tears streamed down her face, but she

late. Bella's taunts had flung open the floodgates of Serena's memory; images flickered through her mind in

you come home for