3
Ferris looked at Kayla, softening his gaze. She could almost see how he used to charm her mother with that look. It was a shame he didn’t go into acting–he could’ve made a career out of it.
But Kayla wasn’t buying any of it. She wasn’t the little girl she used to be, falling for his lies. If anything, hearing him say he wanted to kick her out made it clear, he was still the same man.
“Responsibility?” she raised an eyebrow “When have you ever taken responsibility for anything?”
+48 AM
She thought back to the countless times he had failed her.
At five, she had waited at the school gate for hours, watching every other child leave, while Ferris was off gambling somewhere.
At ten, when kids at school stepped on her hands and bullied her, he called her “useless” when she went home
crying.
At fifteen, she had worked so hard to top her class and proudly showed him her certificate. He tore it up and told
her not to get too “vain.”
When she was twenty, her mom gave her a dog. Ferris had nearly beaten the dog to death and that was when she first learned to stand up for herself.
Responsibility? He didn’t even know the meaning of the word.
She took a deep breath, disgust flickering in her eyes. “You want to talk about being a father? You never were one. Some people just aren’t cut out for it.”
Kayla shook her head. “Don’t worry about me. Take care of yourself. And while you’re at it, tell Mom you’re sorry
From now on, you’re not my father.”
She had made that decision years ago. It didn’t matter whether Ferris stayed or left. He had never been there for
her when she needed him, so why start now? He was just a stranger to her.
Ferris tried to backpedal, looking at her with desperation. “Kayla, I know I messed up! I’ll apologize to your mom,!
will. But what do I do now if you kick me out?”
Kayla stood at the top of the stairs, watching Ferris go through his usual routine. As always, it was all about him.
“It’s not my problem,” she muttered, about to head upstairs when she heard Stephanie whispering to Lionel “What’s the big deal? I’m still the financial director! They still owe me!*
Lionel nodded, clearly buying into it. “Don’t worry, when the time’s right, we’ll take control and the
back in our hands.”
money will be
Kayla raised an eyebrow. She had almost forgotten about Lionel. When their eyes met, he looked like he had seen a ghost, knowing better than to mess with her now.
“Lionel!” Kayla’s voice was sharp. “Move my bedroom back to the big room. This one was always mine.” Stephanie’s face twisted with anger. “What? What about me? Lionel, she’s just trying to push me around!” Lionel barely glanced at her before answering Kayla. “She’s been back long enough. It’s time to give her the
room”
Stephanie’s jaw dropped. She didn’t expect Lionel to take Kayla’s side. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she demanded, her face turning bright red.
act.
Lionel didn’t even blink. “You can take the nanny’s room instead.
Stephanie’s eyes filled with tears, but Kayla wasn’t about to back down. She couldn’t stand her melodramatic
“Someone, get her out of here,” Kayla snapped. Two tall nannies stepped in, scooping Stephanie up before she
could protest
“What do you think you’re doing? Don’t touch me! Do you even know who I am?” Stephanie shrieked, but it was
too late.
