Chapter 97: A celebration to remember
Orabela sat in the chair, her gaze fixed on the door as she waited for Seraphina to enter. A glass wall separated them, riddled with small holes to allow sound to pass through.
The door finally opened, and a prison officer escorted Seraphina into the room. Her hands were cuffed, and bruises marred her forehead—a clear sign the inmates had not made her time easy. But Orabela’s face remained impassive; Seraphina’s suffering was the least of her concerns.
Seraphina’s face lit up at the sight of Orabela. "Are you well?" she asked, her voice laced with a forced brightness. "Today is your birthday. You shouldn’t have come. I... I don’t even know if I deserve to wish you a happy birthday," she added, her gaze dropping in shame.
Orabela’s eyes hardened. "You’re right," she replied coldly. "You lost any right to wish me anything. Because of you, my life is on the verge of destruction. You destroyed everything with your reckless decision to kill your own daughter."
Seraphina’s expression crumpled. "I regret it every day," she whispered. "Please, if you see Layla, ask her to visit me—just once."
Orabela let out a harsh laugh. "Layla? She wants nothing to do with you. And you know what? She’s thriving now, using your downfall as her chance to rise. You always assured me I’d never have reason to feel insecure by your daughter. And yet, here we are." Her voice tightened, her jaw clenching in fury. "Tell me, how do you plan to answer for that?"
"What did Layla do?" Seraphina questioned.
"She’s going to be the Director soon," Orabela replied. "I was meant for that position. How dare you and your daughter snatch my happiness forever? You seduced my Dad and destroyed my mother’s life. At least, you should have done everything in your capacity to take Layla’s life since you hate the very existence of hers," she bitterly told Seraphina.
"I’m sorry. I never meant to do that," Seraphina said as tears brimmed in her ears. "Is there any way her succession can be stopped?" she inquired.