Amanah was frustrated. Her plan to humiliate her sister had mostly worked. Their father had arrived in a fury and dragged her twin off to be punished. It was a satisfying moment. That was until Romeo left after Serenah and didn't come back. His little group of friends had taunted her about it and she finally left in a huff. They were just stupid humans who didn't have sense enough to side with the stronger person.
They, too, left shortly after Romeo. She shrugged it off and had dinner with her minions. Finally, she left and headed home. She got the news that her father had punished Serenah and sent her back to her room in disgrace. She laughed so hard that she cried at hearing that bit of information. She wanted to rub salt in Serenah's wounds. Smirking, she went to her sister's room.
She spotted Lael standing guard and frowned. She despised dealing with Serenah's personal maid. Lael was what humans called a "mama bear" when it came to Serenah.
"Step aside," ordered Amanah. She went to walk around Lael but was blocked by the other woman.
"My apologies, Your Highness. Princess Serenah is sleeping."
Amanah eyed Lael, disgusted by the maid's loyalty to her sister.
"Move," Amanah growled.
Lael hesitated and reluctantly stepped aside.
Amanah pushed open the door and strode inside. She spotted Serenah seated at her table and went straight to her, grinning maliciously.
Serenah's eyes widened in fear and Amanah relished the power she had over her sister.
"Amanah, why are you here?"
"I came to check on my sister. I heard that Father punished you for today."
She smirked at her sister's flinch. She enjoyed the bruises she could see covering her sister's arms and face. It appeared that Father hadn't held back. That made her even happier. She decided then and there that she would batter Serenah's emotions some more.
"You know, I enjoyed sitting next to Romeo at the diner. He was such a gentleman to let me and Nick join him and his crew."
Serenah's dismay sent a thrill of pleasure through Amanah. She could feel her twin's distress and she chuckled. This was too much fun! Goading Serenah was easy. Her sister had low self-esteem which made it even more fun to poke at her insecurities.
"You're lying," Serenah snapped.
"Of course you would think that. You believe that he loves you when all you are is a piece of ass to him that he will bed and discard."
Tears welled up in Serenah's eyes and Amanah's pleasure at hurting her sister increased. Time to go for the kill.
"While you were in your coma, he and I were together. We had a little disagreement and I decided we needed a break from each other. I guess he saw you and found out about our family relationship. He wanted to get back at me. That's why he's dating you."
"No," whimpered Serenah.
"Oh yes, dear little sister. You are just a replacement for me. He'll get tired of a useless, pathetic imitation like you. Thank you for holding my spot. I'll be taking it back soon." Amanah laughed coldly as her sister started to cry. "Have a good evening, Sister."
She left with a smirk at her sister's weeping. In the hall, she laughed at Lael's enraged expression. The servant was as useless as her mistress. Pleased with herself, Amanah headed to her room to plot more things to destroy Serenah's and Romeo's relationship. He would be hers again and no one would stop her from getting what she wanted.
~***~
After the disastrous dinner outing, Fidelis went home, his anger raging. What was meant to be a happy, safe moment turned into one of sadness and fear for Sera. He wanted to destroy Amy so thoroughly that the girl would never bother Sera ever again. He clenched his fist around the steering wheel and pulled into the garage. He could feel Blainel's and Sodalitas's concern. He was too upset to address it.
He got out of the car and hurried to his father's study. He entered without knocking, too worked up to follow protocol.
His father, calm as ever, asked, "What happened?"
"Sera's bastard family, that's what!" Fidelis tried to calm down. He needed to explain the situation to his father. "First Amy shows up demanding to eat with me, Sera, and my friends. Then, Sera's father calls and makes her leave the diner."
His father gestured for him to have a seat on the couch and he sat before continuing. "I followed Sera outside and saw her father slap her. He shoved her in the car and drove off." He clenched and unclenched his hands in frustration.
"I could feel her terror, Father. It gutted me. I couldn't protect her. Again, I failed." He dropped his head in his hands and fought for a calm he didn't feel.
His father patted him on the back. "Son, you haven't failed. We are still fighting to save her. I know you. You won't stop until Sera's safety is assured. I will help you in all your efforts. I'm partial to my future daughter-in-law. She has an amazing soul."
"She does, doesn't she?" Fidelis agreed with a smile. His roiling emotions were starting to calm. "I hate feeling helpless. I'm also frustrated with Al. He didn't even try to stop Sera's father."
"Maybe he can't."
"Are you defending him, Father?"
"No, we don't know his full circumstances or the extent of his relationship with the Holland family. We shouldn't jump to conclusions yet."
Fidelis opened his mouth to report but snarled when his mark blazed hot with Sera's emotions. She was hurt, afraid, and sad.
"That bastard dares!" he yelled and jerked out his phone.
He called Sera's phone but there was no answer. "Come on, Sera, pick up," he whispered.
He tried three more times and stopped. Her emotions still slammed into them and grew in intensity. Thirty minutes later, her emotions slowed. He was mainly getting her pain and sadness. He prayed to Autem that her father had stopped hurting her.
"Son, how is she?"
"She's hurting but the fear is gone."
"Text her. Get her to call you. Also, get her father's number so we can set up the dinner date with him and Sera."
"Yes, Father."
Fidelis called Sera. She didn't answer. Instead, she texted him.
Sera: Romeo, hi. I'm sorry about the diner.
Fidelis: It's alright. Not your fault your sister is such a bitch.
Sera didn't reply for several minutes and he started to worry. He was still feeling her pain.
Fidelis: Sera, is anything wrong?
Sera: No. Everything is fine.
He frowned. She was lying. He chose to let it slide. He needed to wrap up this conversation so Sera could rest.
Fidelis: In all the chaos at the diner, I forgot to ask you for your father's phone number.
Terror raced through his mark and his heart hurt. He didn't want to ask Sera, but he needed that number.
Sera: Why?
Fidelis: Remember, we were supposed to set a dinner meeting date with your father.
Sera: Oh. It's 555-437-8257
Fidelis: Thanks, Sera. He paused and typed. Are you sure you're alright?
Sera: Yes, I'm sure. I'll see you Monday. I'm going to go rest.
Fidelis: Alright, I'll see you Monday. Good night, my beautiful lady.
Sera: Good night, Romeo.
He stared at his phone long after Sera had gone to bed. He called her father's number and got ready to deal with the devil.