Her Place in His Heart by Isabella Reed

Chapter87

They were always telling me that, if I played nice with Ashley, things would go easier for me.

But here was the thing. Ashley’s parents were gone, and mine were still around, but they chose to ignore me over her. So, what made my life any different from an orphan?

It was Christmas. I was in the kitchen filling up a pot with water when Ashley strutted in, all dressed up in her newest dress. “Grace, do you think this dress looks good on me?”

I ignored her and tried to move past her.

But she wasn’t having it. She latched onto my arm from behind. “I’m waiting for an answer.” I frowned, trying to pull

away.

She grabbed my other hand, splashed herself with the hot water, and then let out a scream. “Please no Grace!”

“What are you doing?!” I asked her.

“Who do you think Mom’s going to believe, you or me?” Ashley smirked, and right on cue, my mom walked in and saw the whole thing, just the way Ashley had set it up.

“my

“Grace, if you’ve got an issue, you come to me,” my mom said, her voice heavy with disappointment. “Why would you do this to Ashley?”

Ashley was all teary–eyed, playing the victim. “Mom, please don’t be mad at Grace. It’s my fault.”

My brother yanked my arm. “Are you jealous of Ashley? You know we have family coming over, and you messed up her dress on purpose?”

face was a storm cloud. “Grace, you’re grounded. You stay here and think about what you’ve done. Ashley, go

was about to cry, and my mom was right there, soothing her with gentle words and a soft touch. I used to feel that warmth, but it was a distant

another life.

a little closer, only looked at me for a moment, they might have seen

no, they didn’t. They all left, a happy

me a triumphant glance,

my mom’s Instagram to become a chronicle of Ashley’s adventures with our

her, and

previous life, I posted something on Instagram too. “If you don’t love me, why did you even

Queen“. Those two words were what pushed me to

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Chapter07

a second thought.

1288 Wouchers

years

all of them, and the absence of constant conflict with Ashley allowed a

tension and frustration brought by the absence of conflict with Ashley had a profound impact on

result, I woke up feeling more refreshed and energized each morning.I was able to focus more on my studies and witness great improvements, while Ashley remained stuck in a cycle

how much effort she put into it, she couldn’t reach

my pace.

the second semester of our senior year started, the school announced a parent–teacher

my parents would never come to mine, but I wanted to be optimistic, so I told

about it.

thought she would go, but she said, “Grace, you know Ashley has been struggling with her grades since her real parents passed away. We’ve already promised to go to her