Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77

SOPHIA

The morning drive to Silver Creek Elementary was perfect for what I needed to accomplish. Riley sat quietly in the passenger seat, staring out the

window with a blank expression on his face as he watched the cars pass by.

Riley had learned it the hard way over the years to recognize my moods, to sense when I was planning something important and needed quiet.

“Today is a very special day, Riley,” I said, my voice sounding serious, as I looked at him through the rear mirror.

I waited till he had helped eye contact with me before I continued speaking.

This was what I normally did when I needed him to pay attention to every word. “Your first day at your new school, in the same class as Ollie.”

“Yes, Mama,” he replied automatically, looking down at his hands.

And you remember what we talked about yesterday? About what I’m trying to accomplish for our family?”

“Yes, Mama.”

I took another glance at him in the rearview mirror, as I noticed the way that his hands were folded neatly in his lap, the way he held himself so still

and prim.

Five years of controlled and careful training made him into exactly what I needed a child who could follow instructions without question, and who

could play any role that I gave him without blinking an eye.

‘Riley, look at me,” I commanded, and immediately his eyes met mine in the mirror.

“Today, you’re going to be in the same classroom as Ollie. You’re going to have the same teacher, the same lessons, the same opportunities to prove

yourself.”

“Yes, Mama.”

“And what did I tell you about Ollie?”

Riley’s mouth opened, then closed as I could see the slight hesitation on his face that he was trying to hide. I could see the internal struggle that was

apparent on his face.

There was a part of him that wanted to protect his friendship with Ollie which was fighting against the ingrained need to obey me.

“You told me he was my competition,” Riley said quietly, his voice barely loud enough to be heard.

“That’s right. He’s your competition. And what do we do with competition, Riley?”

“We…” Riley swallowed hard, his eyes darting away from mine as he focused on other things in his immediate proximity. “We beat them.”

“We outshine them,” I corrected firmly as I continued, speaking.

“We prove that we’re better, smarter, more deserving of things than him. Ollie has had everything he needed in his life loving parents, a beautiful

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home, the best of everything. But you, my darling boy, you have something he doesn’t have.”

“What’s that, Mama?”

“You have hunger. You have the drive to prove yourself. And today, you’re going to show everyone your teacher, your classmates, and most importantly, Xenois that you’re the superior child between the both of you and he is nothing more than your copy. Am I understood

–

Riley’s face fell slightly, and I could see tears that were gathering at the corners of his eyes, but not falling as he blinked.

“But Mama, Ollie is my friend. I don’t want to hurt him or make him feel bad.

The defiance in his voice, small as it was, made my jaw clench as I gritted my teeth in anger.

After all these years, after everything I’d taught him about loyalty and obedience, he was still allowing his emotions to cloud his judgment.

“Riley,” I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper that made him freeze. “Are you refusing to do what I’ve asked you to do?”

“No, Mama, I just-”

*Because it sounds like you’re putting some boy you’ve known for a few days ahead of your own mother. The woman who has sacrificed everything for you, who has loved you and cared for you since the day you were born.”

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