Chapter 29 The next morning , in the bedroom .
Paisley carefully tended to Serenas wounds .
Thankfully , Maris had gone back to Brightmoor for the weekend due to some family matters .
If she saw Serenas wounds , shed be heartbroken Maria had been with Parsley since the day Serena was born and practically raised Serena alongside Paisley .
Her love for Serena was no less than a nothers .
Luckily , Serenas fall yesterday had only scraped her palins .
If it had been worse , Paisley wouldnt have let go of Stella , who had hurt Serena , As for the school , Paisley was far from done with them .
She had already contacted her lawyer and planned to send a formal legal notice on Monday .
Gently disinfecting Serenas small hands , Paisley winced every time Serena flinched from the cotton balls sting .
Does it hurt a lot ? Paisley asked , her voice full of concern .
It hurts bar 1 can handle it , Serena replied , biting her lip .
Tears welled up in her shiny eyes , but she stubbornly held them back .
Once the bandages were on , Paisley pulled Serena into her arms and kissed her head .
Mommy will find you a new preschool .
Were never going back there , okay ? Running to Grayson at school had been the last thing Paisley expected because Grayson wasnt even enrolled in that preschool be was at another elite school When choosing a school for Serena , Paisley had deliberately avoided any areas where she might cross paths with the Vanderbilt family .
Yet somehow , fate had other plans .

Follow new episodes on the CrushnovelS.Com

Mommy , its alright .
I can keep going there , Serena said softly .
Despite ho how awful the principal and some of the teachers were , she liked her teacher .
Sophia , very much .
Serena continued .
Dont worry .
Mommy .
I wont bother t Grayson anymore .
Hearing Graysons name , Panday dified .
So , you suck that painting out of my studio just to show it to Grayson , didnt you ? Serena nodded , looking pitiful .
But Grayson didnt like it .
Stella even tore it up .
Mommy , Im sorry ….
She snuggled deeper into Paisleys arms , her little voice sticky with remorse .
Its okay , sweetheart .
Im not mad at you , said Paisley , There had been a day , not long after her divorce , when Paisley couldnt stop thinking about the son shed left behind .
The overwhelming panic nearly drove her to pick up the phone and call Dominick a number she had buried deep in her heart .
But the urge passed soon .
Two hours later , the storm in her chest had quieted .
That same day , she painted Graysons portrait , pouring all her unresolved feelings into the canvas .
One day later , Serena stumbled upon the painting and asked who the boy was .
Paisley replied simply , Thats your brother, What Paisley hadnt anticipated was how deeply Serena would remember those words .
As she gently stroked Serenas hair , Paisley began to say .
Rena , I know you want to talk to Grayson .
But he doesnt know you yet , and thats why he didnt like you .
Remember , love has to go both ways .
You cant make everyone like you , can you ? Serena nodded , her face earnest despite her limited understanding .
I get it .
Mommy Paisley held her close , a bittersweet ache wigging at her heart .
She had once believed the same naive notion that giving her whole heart would mean being loved in return.
But life had taught her otherwise .
This lesson made it easier for her to let go Just then , a ringtone broke through her thoughts .
From the living room , Paisleys phone chimed with an incoming video call Before she could move .
Serena wriggled out of her arms and hurried to grab the phone Mom , whos Gregory ? Serena asked , her curiosity piqued .
At three years old , she had learned quite a few names already .
Paisleys eyebrows shot up slightly at the mention of that name .
It had been years since Gregory had been a part of her life .