Chapter 3 You don't deserve to be my mom

That was why there wasn't any room in this house for Eliza at all.

Just then, Leon suddenly waved his little hand. "Dad, let Eliza have Mom's room. It's big and bright perfect for Eliza and Offie."

Victor paused for a second.

Eliza immediately caught the subtle shift in his expression and rushed to speak before he could say anything. "No, that's not okay if there's really no space, I'll take Oliver and find somewhere else to stay. I'm so sorry for bothering you."

"It's no bother," Leon said, suddenly pouting. He turned his head and looked at Serena with urgency and grievance, raising his voice. "Say something. What, you lost your voice today?"

Serena looked into Leon's eyes, full of blame. "If Eliza takes my room, then where am I supposed to sleep?" she questioned

Leon puffed out his cheeks, clearly indifferent, his face turning red as he shouted like it was the most obvious thing in the world, "The storage room has a bed. Just sleep there.

"You should be glad you even have a place to stay. Why are you being so picky?"

Hearing that, Eliza looked troubled. She stepped forward slightly, her eyes full of sincerity and apology.

She looked at Leon as she spoke gently, "Leon, I'm a guest. Your mom is the host. How could I take the host's room? I'm already thankful she's letting me stay here. Oliver and I aren't going to be picky."

Eliza turned to look at Oliver, who had been quiet the whole time. "Right, Oliver?"

Oliver gave a calm nod.

"Well, Ms. Stone, you really know your place," Serena replied evenly, going along with her. "So you all can figure out another plan for the room."

Serena had swallowed her pride for years. She wasn't going to back down anymore.

Hearing that, Leon was furious. "You're such a wretch. I knew you didn't really want Eliza to stay. You're so annoying."

He put his little fists on his hips. "But don't even think about kicking Eliza out. I'll just sleep with Dad, and Eliza and Ollie can have my room."

Victor's eyes lit up. "That works. It's settled then."

Leon happily pushed the suitcases toward the elevator, and Victor led Eliza and Oliver to Leon's room.

Once again, Serena was the extra one. She was used to it. She went back to her room and started packing.

Not long after, Eliza came in with a cup of hot coffee in her hands. "Mrs. Powell, may I come in? Are you packing for something? Going out?"

Serena didn't respond. She couldn't exactly tell Eliza she was leaving.

Eliza said, "Leon poured this coffee for you. He may be little, but he's got a lot of pride. He was too embarrassed to bring it.

Serena didn't believe for a second that Leon had poured that coffee for her. self."

If Eliza hadn't shown up, maybe Serena would've believed it. But Leon now hated Serena too much to even get her a cup of coffee.

Serena said, "Ms. Stone, you don't need to smooth things over between me and teon. The four of you living happily ever after is better than anything else."

Even though Eliza had played innocent ever since she walked in–and had even stepped in a few times to help correct Leon–Serena didn't believe that was her true colors, Serena's instincts told her Eliza was far from simple.

Eliza bit her lip, looking guilty. "Mrs. Powell, did I do something to make you misunderstand me?"

She walked over to Serena anxiously. Seeing Serena folding clothes, Eliza quickly reached out and grabbed her hand.

Eliza said, "Mrs. Powell, if you don't want me to stay, just say it. I can leave. But please don't get the wrong idea about me. I never meant to sabotage your relationship with your family. I really didn't-"

Serena cut in coldly, "Let go."

"I'm begging you, please don't misunderstand me, okay? I'll leave, alright?"

"I said let go."

Serena had no idea what Eliza was trying to do. Seeing her stubbornly clinging on, Serena yanked her wrist free.

Before Serena could say anything, Eliza, who had been standing just fine, suddenly fell. The hot coffee in her hand spilled onto Serena's skin, instantly turning a large area red.

"Ow!" Eliza's sharp cry pierced the air.

"What happened?" Leon and Victor rushed over the moment they heard the noise. The moment they saw the scene in front of them, their expressions suddenly changed.

Victor rushed forward, his eyes tinged red with panic. "Ellie, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Eliza raised her hand pitifully. Her delicate skin was now marked with a small red burn. "Victor, it's my fault. I shouldn't have come today. I upset Mrs. Powell. Please don't blame her."

Victor turned to glare at Serena, his eyes filled with anger. "Why did you do this? Ellie's just here to stay for a couple days.

"It was already bad enough how you kept giving her a hard time, but now you actually laid hands on her?"

Instantly blamed for something she didn't do, Serena was shaking with rage, knowing full well she'd just been set up. But her mind went blank. She blurted out the truth, "She fell on purpose."

Serena had thought Victor still had some ability to tell right from wrong. But not only did he lack that now, his face darkened even more.

He yelled, "Serena. How can you be so cruel? Why would Ellie fall on her own for no reason? You did it, just admit it. You've really let me down."

He scooped Eliza into his arms and rushed to the living room to apply medicine to her burn.

Even Leon pointed at Serena's face and cursed her out, screaming, "You're such a wretch. I hate you. You're evil and disgusting. You don't deserve to be my mom. Just die already. Stop ruining things between Dad and Eliza."

Serena shoved him away, her breathing heavy. "Leon Powell, you little brat, say that again."

Leon lost his balance and fell to the floor, tears welling up in his eyes. "You wretch, I don't love you anymore. I hate you." With that, he took off running.

Serena's fingers trembled. It was the first time she had ever spoken harshly to Leon, but she didn't regret it. She took it as mother.

It lesson to him as his Just then, a dull pain throbbed on the back of her hand. Serena lowered her eyes and looked at the large burn across it, then laughed. Eliza had only gotten a few drops on her and Victor was already that worked up. But Serena was hurt far worse, and no one cared.

Serena's throat moved with a deep swallow as she walked alone to the bathroom to run cold water over her hand.

The water was colder than usual, and the twisted, jagged scar in her palm seemed even more noticeable now.

Outside, she heard Leon's cheerful voice. "Yay. We're going out to eat. Daddy's the best, Ellie's the best too, I wish every day could be like this," he laughed.

"Victor, are you sure Mrs. Powell won't be upset we're not taking her?" Eliza asked.

Victor said, "She won't be. And even if she is, she'll get over it by the time we're back."

Serena turned the faucet up to full blast, drowning out their voices from the living room.

After a long while, she suddenly shut off the water with a loud clack and walked straight into the bedroom, her steps firm and unwavering.

Serena thought, 'I'll get over it? No, Victor. You're never going to see me again. I'll let you guys be together'