Chapter 13: Not your daughter anymore
Layla glanced at Roderick's message briefly before deciding to ignore it. Without a second thought, she blocked his number. "You'll only see me when it causes you pain," she muttered under her breath, tossing the phone onto the bed with a sharp flick of her wrist. She then turned her attention to the closet, pulling out a dress for the evening.
After slipping into the dress, Layla styled her hair, gathering some of the strands at the back with pins, while leaving the rest of her soft curls to cascade down her shoulders.
Placing the comb neatly on the dressing table, she slipped into matching heels and grabbed a coordinating clutch, the elegance of her ensemble exuding confidence.
As she descended the stairs, Layla's eyes fell on Roger, waiting patiently near the doorway.
"Good evening, Madam. I'll be taking you to the hotel. The boss won't be able to make it home and will meet you directly at the restaurant," Roger said in his usual respectful tone.
"I understand," Layla replied, stepping forward to leave. Just as she reached the door, her steps faltered when she saw her mother approaching from the hallway.
For a moment, Layla believed her mother had come to see her, but the comforting thought was quickly shattered.
Without warning, Seraphina raised her hand and struck Layla across the face, the sound of the slap reverberating through the room.
Roger instantly stepped forward, positioning himself between Layla and Seraphina as the older woman raised her hand again, ready to strike. His protective stance was firm, shielding Layla from further harm.