CHAPTER 204: CHAPTER 204: JUST LIKE HER MOTHER

Serena’s POV~

For a moment, everything went quiet again.

Then, she laughed softly and blinked, her expression melting back into one of gentle warmth. "Ah," she said, wiping the corner of her eyes with trembling fingers, "I’m just so happy."

Her voice quivered like she was holding back tears. "My daughter... my sweet little girl has finally grown up. She’s finally found her father’s love again."

Fake tears rolled down her cheeks as she spoke, every word heavy with exaggerated emotion. "I’m so happy," she whispered, her tone cracking just enough to sound believable. "My poor child has been so alone all these years without her father’s affection. A mother’s greatest wish is only to see her child happy."

I almost rolled my eyes right there. The fake pity, the trembling voice, the crocodile tears...it was all too much. She was putting on a perfect show, as always.

But then... something changed.

Just as she finished speaking, I felt my father stiffen beside me. His warmth, the gentle, open energy he had shown only moments ago...suddenly vanished. I turned my head slightly, my heart tightening.

His face had changed.

The soft smile was gone. His jaw had tightened, his shoulders tense. A shadow passed over his eyes, dark and pained.

Why?

I blinked, glancing quickly between them. My mother was still standing there, her eyes glistening with fake tears, her lips curved in that tender, pitiful smile. But my father... he looked like someone had just stabbed an old wound open inside him.

I swallowed hard, feeling the tension in the air grow thick. My mother’s gaze flickered briefly toward him...just for a second, but I saw it. That faint, satisfied spark in her eyes.

Oh no.

So that was it.

She was guilt-tripping him. Subtly, beautifully, perfectly...just enough to twist the knife where it hurt most.

My heart thudded in my chest.

What does she want now?

I clenched my fists, my nails pressing into my palms. She said she wanted a happy family, didn’t she? She said she wanted me to be close to Father. But now, the moment we seemed close, she looked jealous, and now she’s hurting him again.

Does she even know what she wants?

Or maybe she does. Maybe this was exactly what she wanted.

I looked at her again, really looked this time...the way her tears glistened, the way she bit her lip, the way she reached out and brushed a stray tear off her cheek as if she were the most heartbroken mother in the world.

It was all too perfect.

A slow, cold realization crept through me.

No. She doesn’t want a family. She doesn’t want peace.

She wants control.

She wants him.

And now that she’s seeing me take even a sliver of his affection, she can’t stand it. So she’s doing what she’s always done...playing with emotions, turning them against each other, and making him feel guilty, weak, and bound to her again.

My stomach turned.

Could it be that... She actually wanted to get rid of me?

I froze, my eyes widening slightly as the thought formed in my mind.

If she really saw me as an obstacle between her and Father... then what would she do?

Knowing her... anything.

Absolutely anything.

A faint chill ran down my spine.

I forced myself to breathe slowly, to stay calm, and to keep my expression gentle. But inside, my thoughts were racing.

This wasn’t just about jealousy anymore. I knew she was using me, and after I was done with my part, she would not hesitate even a bit to sideline me.

***

Elarliya’s POV~

How dare she?

That little smile. That sweet, innocent tone. The way she leaned toward him, her hand brushing his sleeve like she owned that moment...like I wasn’t standing right there.

My jaw tightened, but my lips curved into a soft smile. Always smile. Always. Never let the mask slip.

Because that’s what they expect of me—gentle, calm, composed. The kind and loving mother. The graceful queen.

But inside... I was burning.

I wanted to strangle that arrogant little brat.

For a split second, I almost lost control.

...almost raised my hand and ended her smug little act right there. But no... not yet. Not when he was watching. Not when every movement mattered.

I steadied my breath, forcing my shoulders to stay relaxed, forcing my voice to stay warm. "Ah... my daughter has grown so much," I said sweetly, even as venom filled my mouth. "So confident now."

Confident. Arrogant. Just like her mother.

A bitter laugh echoed inside me. Of course she was. She carried that bitch’s blood, didn’t she? But she is still stupid, just like her mother.

She thought she could play this game with me? She thought she could turn him against me?

Oh, my dear, foolish child.

If only she knew who she was dealing with.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He still looked tense, his eyes clouded with guilt...good. Let him feel that. Let him ache for the past. Let him remember how much he owed me.

That girl might think she’s clever, but she doesn’t understand what love and pain can do to a man like him.

I do.

I always did.

I could already feel the spell stirring faintly at my fingertips, the temptation to whisper a curse under my breath, to mark her with something that would remind her who her mother truly was. Something that would make her regret every little smirk, every defiant glance.

But I stopped myself.

Not yet.

Killing her now would be too easy.

I smiled again, slow and sweet, and took a small step forward. "You’ve grown bold, my love," I said softly, my gaze fixed on her face. "But remember this...your mother always knows what’s best."

Her eyes flickered, just slightly, and that was enough.

Inside, I smirked. Even after all that, this brat is still the same.

But soon enough, I’ll take everything from her...her father’s affection, her confidence, her peace, and when she finally looks at me with fear and hate... Only then will she understand.

No one defies me.

I could see her trembling inside, the way her shoulders stiffened when I smiled too kindly, and the way her lips pressed together when I spoke to her father. She thought she was subtle...she wasn’t. I could read her like a book.

"Mother, you’ve traveled far," she said softly. "You must be tired. Please, rest for tonight."

Tired? Oh, I was burning.

For a heartbeat, I wanted to show her what real power looked like. I wanted to crush that little spark in her eyes until nothing remained but fear and obedience.

But not yet.

So instead, I laughed lightly and said, "Ah, you’re always so thoughtful, Serena." The perfect motherly tone... warm, soft, and loving. I’ve practiced it for years.

She started to move, probably thinking she could still control the situation, that she’d show me the way to my room like some dutiful little guide. How sweet.

But I had other plans.

"Oh, my dear, no need to trouble yourself," I said, waving my hand, still smiling. "You look exhausted. Rest."

Her expression faltered just slightly—that faint crack in her composure that made my heart twist with satisfaction.

Then I turned to him.

Maximus.

Even his name tasted heaven on my tongue. The man who once made my heart race, who once swore the stars themselves bowed for her, not me. And now he stood there tall and gracefully, as iftime forgot to touch him.

"Your father will show me the way," I said smoothly.

Her little gasp and the hesitation in her voice, "Mother, that’s not..." made me want to laugh.

Not what, dear? Not proper? Not convenient?

I didn’t let her finish. I’d wasted enough of my night listening to her play the polite daughter.

I glided toward him, my gown whispering over the marble floor, every step measured and soft. His eyes flicked toward me, and that only amused me more.

"Right, my dear Maximus?" I purred, tilting my head just slightly.

He stiffened, his jaw tightening, shoulders tense. Oh, he wanted to refuse. I could feel it.

So I acted first.

I slipped my arm through his.

He flinched—that sudden, instinctive rejection—but I didn’t let go. I never let go. I leaned closer, just enough for my lips to brush near his ear, and whispered:

"Our daughter is watching."

That did it.

His whole body went rigid. His fist clenched at his side, knuckles whitening. I could see the storm behind his eyes... the anger, the pain, the conflict. It almost made me smile.

Poor Maximus. Always so predictable when it came to appearances. Always too proud to show his true feelings in front of others.

I turned back to Serena, keeping my expression warm and motherly. "Rest well, my love," I said gently. "We’ll talk more in the morning."

And before she could find her voice, I tugged him forward.

He didn’t resist. Not fully.

He looked like he wanted to. But my touch, my voice, the memories I knew how to stir... they all worked the same way they always had.

We walked out of that room together, and the soft click of the door closing behind us felt like victory.