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?”

and think about what you’ve

she 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

another life.

they had just looked a little closer, only looked at me for a moment, they might have seen the burn in my

didn’t. They all left, a happy little family of four, without even

triumphant glance, as if to say, ‘Grace,

longer than two weeks for my mom’s Instagram to become a chronicle of

even brought a cake once, but it was only for her, and they didn’t

been forgotten. Before I died in my previous life, I posted something on Instagram

Those two words

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Chapter07

a second thought.

1288 Wouchers

school years

this life, I avoided all of them, and the absence of constant conflict

tension and frustration brought by the absence of conflict with Ashley

each morning.I was able to focus more on my studies

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

my pace.

semester of our senior year started, the school announced

never come to mine, but

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 conference. You understand, right?”