Layna dropped Jonah''s invitation into the conversation on purpose, hoping it''d push Scott to take her to the harbor.
Scott shot her a look, finished up his call with a few curt words, then hung up.
She gazed up at him, eyes wide and hopeful. "Uncle, it''s winter break. Can''t you take me with you?"
Layna could be a menace out in the world, but never around Scott. He was the one person she actually feared.
Scott waved her off, barely looking at her. "Layna, this trip is for work, not fun. Maybe next time, alright?"
Her face fell, lips quivering as if she was about to cry but didn''t dare. "Okay, Uncle..."
Scott didn''t pay her mood much attention. "I signed you up for piano, etiquette, and calligraphy sses. Practicing your handwriting will teach you patience and humility. Trust me, it''ll do you good."
He might not show it, but Scott still tried his best to raise Layna right. She was his sister''s kid, and now that his sister was gone, he felt responsible for her.
Layna couldn''t stand any of it. The sses were boring and useless, as far as she was concerned.
Still, she put on her best-behaved act. "Thank you, Uncle."
"Wesley!” Juliana came down the stairs with a scarf in her hand, smiling. "It''s cold out there. Make sure you keep warm."
She wrapped the scarf gently around Scott''s neck. "Call me when you get there."
Juliana''s tender fussing made Scott''s heart soften. Pregnancy had made her gentler, and it brought a warmth to their home he hadn''t realized was missing.
"I will.” He gave her belly a gentle pat. “You take care too. I''ll be back in three days, tops. I''ll bring you and our little guy some gifts."
Juliana smiled, her hand resting on her stomach. "We''ll be waiting at home, won''t we, baby? Daddy''s heading out, but he''ll bring us presents when hees back."
Off to the side, Layna watched the scene, jealousy simmering in her chest. She shot a venomous re at Juliana''s belly. She already felt invisible; once that baby was born, she''d be totally forgotten.
After seeing Scott out, Juliana turned back inside. Layna greeted her with a sweet smile and a ss of milk. "Aunt Juliana, have some milk. I heard it makes the baby''s skin fairer."
"Thank you, Layna, you''re so
thoughtful." Juliana took a sip,
smiling "Your uncle said you have a
calligraphy lessonter. The
housekeeper will drive you. I''m going to catch up on some sleep.
"Of course, Aunt Juliana. Rest well." Layna''s voice dripped with honey. "I''ll study hard, I promise.”
Juliana was pleased-maybe her kindness toward Layna wasn''t wasted after all. Juliana headed upstairs, and the housekeeper took Layna to her calligraphy ss. Layna had zero patience. She barely listened, her mind stuck on missing out on the harbor trip, and her frustration showed in her messy, crooked writing.
The teacher sighed. “Layna, you need to focus. Your handwriting reflects your character. It really matters."
Layna shot her a look, defiant.
"What''s so great about handwriting?
Ms. Sherry, you''ve got beautiful writing, but can you even afford a ce Riverdale? My monthly allowance is more than you make in a few years. Why should listen to you?"
The teacher flushed, clearly rattled. "Layna, money isn''t everything—"
"But without money, life''s miserable. If you''re so noble, why take a sry? Why not go teach poor kids in the mountains for free? Adults are all so fake. You never mean what you say. That''s the worst thing abouto grown-ups."
Her words left the teacher red-faced and speechless.
Layna stormed out of ss, tossing a warning at the housekeeper not to snitch-or she''d get him fired by the Stranz family.
She strode out of the learning center, refusing to let the housekeeper tag along. She was nine, after all-old enough to know what''s what.
Waiting for the elevator, Layna was busy plotting how to keep Juliana from having
her baby when she overheard two women chatting nearby.
"So your daughter-inw lost the baby? What happened?"
"She was just too reckless. Fell down the stairs and lost it."