The Vicious Saint Chapter 2

I was being completely serious.

But Luna just slapped the notepad out of my hand and turned to our father. “Dad! Do you see this manipulative little witch? Look at her act!”

My father wasn’t as soft as my mother.

It was obvious he favored Luna.

Faced with this chaotic scene, he spoke, his voice sharp. “If you want to know if she’s faking, there’s an easy way to find out. Let’s go see the room she supposedly prepared for you.”

His eyes, narrowed and intense, were fixed on me.

Luna’s face lit up. “Yes! Let’s go, right now. You can all see what Stella is really like!”

I heard her and smiled, nodding eagerly.

“Okay! I’d love for you to see the real me, too.”

When the four of us arrived at the small, plain housekeeper’s room in the basement, Luna froze.

Not only had I made up the simple cot with her expensive, four-hundred-thread-count sheet set, but I had also placed a photograph on the nightstand. It was a picture of her as a child, playing with our housekeeper, Maria.

I explained earnestly, “Sister, you said you wanted to be Maria’s daughter, but she might not agree right away. I found this picture of you two and had it printed. I thought it might help your case.”

Luna was speechless.

My parents, after their initial shock, finally understood. Everything I had said, I had meant.

Katherine pulled me into another hug, her voice thick with emotion.

“My child… what on earth did they do to you?”

I offered a small smile. “I saw it online. I think it’s called being a people-pleaser.”

I always take what people say as the absolute truth. I try my best to please them, to do what they ask, even when they don’t actually mean it. I carry out their words to the letter.

Katherine held me at arm’s length, her eyes boring into mine. “Stella, listen to me. You are an Ashton now. You don’t have to please anyone. Do you understand?”

I nodded, but I didn’t really get it.

If you don’t please people, how are you supposed to connect with them?