Chapter 13 Serenas small body hit the ground with a soft thud , her delicate little hand slammed down , and the skin was scraped raw A sharp sting shot through her palm , but it was the crumpled drawing she was clutching that sent a wave of panic through her .
The rough friction of the fall had to the edges , leaving a ragged tear on the once perfect paper .
My mommys drawing .
Serena cried out , her voice wavering with distress .
She barely registered the pain in her hand , too focused on the artwork she held so dearly .
She quickly examined the picture , her eyes scanning for any damage to Graysons face on the painting , the one shed been so certain was her brother .
Thankfully , the damage was minor just a tear along the edge .

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The image of Grayson was still intact , and she let out a relieved breath Her attention shifted to the person who had shoved her .
Standing above her , with a smug , triumphant look , was none other than Stella the same girl who had slapped her hand last time .
Serenas thoughts raced .
This girl is so mean , always stopping me from talking to Sonny , always bullying me .
But ..
Sonny seems to like this girl a lot .
Well , Ill just have to put up with her this time With a small huff , Serena quickly pulled herself together .
She stood up , brushing the dirt off her skirt , her gaze never leaving the girl who had caused her harm .
But instead of confronting Stella , she focused on what mattered most the drawing .
She unfolded the paper carefully and held it out in front of Grayson .
Look Serena said , her voice full of determination , this drawing is of you .
It was made by Mommy .
See ? I didnt lie .
You really are my brother She held the portrait up to Graysons face , her eyes wide with hope , as if this single picture could make everything fall into place .
Graysons eyes widened as he took in the portrait .
He froze for a moment , The face staring back at him from the paper was undeniably his own , but there was something about the smile in the drawing so carefree that made him feelapang of something unfamiliar in his chest .
It had been so long since he had smiled like that .
She said Mom drew this … o bright , so Stella , standing nearby and gritting her teeth , saw the flicker of recognition and interest in Graysons eyes .
Her small fists clenched at her sides as a sharp pang of jealousy flared up.
Marissas words from that morning replayed in her head .
That linle kid is really cute c -cuter than you .
Now , looking at Serena holding the drawing and smiling adorably , Stella felt an uncomfortable knot tighten in her chest .
Grayson was clearly captivated , and she couldnt stand it .
Who cares about that stupid drawing ? of Serenas hands , ripping it away with a forceful yank .
Stella snapped , storming toward Serena with a dark glint in her eyes .
In a flash , she snatched the picture out Before Serena could react , Stella tore the paper in half with a vicious rip , the sound sharp and satisfying in the tense silence .
With a cold smirk , Stella tossed the torn remains of the drawing into the trash can by the little fountain , watching as it landed with a sickening splat , Serena stood frozen , shock and disbelief flooding her face .
Her small chest rose and fell rapidly as her mind struggled to process what had just happened .
For a split second , everything seemed to blur her focus entirely on the picture she had spent so much time believing in , the one shed ho oped would connect her to the brother she desperately wanted to End In a daze , Serena dashed toward the trash can , her hands trembling .
She bent down , reaching into the filthy , smelly bin , hoping against hope to retrieve the ruined paper But when she pulled out , she saw that the pictu the ink bleeding and smeared picture was beyond saving the edges soaked with the dirty water that had leaked from the trash can , 1/1