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 done. Ashley,

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

another life.

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

no, they didn’t. They all left, a happy little family of four, without even

glance, as if to say, ‘Grace, I’ve won again.

for my mom’s Instagram to become a chronicle of Ashley’s

but it was only for her, and they didn’t even share a slice of it with

felt like I was the one who’d been forgotten. Before I died in my previous life, I posted something on Instagram too. “If

being called a “Drama Queen“. Those two

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Chapter07

a second thought.

1288 Wouchers

whole high school years back then living in

life, I avoided all of them, and the absence of constant conflict with Ashley allowed a significant shift in my overall

of conflict with Ashley had a profound impact

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

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

my pace.

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

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

about it.

thought she would go, but she said, “Grace, you know Ashley has been struggling with her grades since