Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 188

"Mom, just leave it there. I'm finishing my homework. I'll eat it later."

She hadn't actually gone to her tutoring session today, but she couldn't let her family find out, so she was frantically trying to catch up on the day's assignments.

It wasn't that she didn't want to beat Mira. She dreamed of utterly crushing her, of grinding her beneath her heel.

But that bitch was just too damn smart—scoring in the 99th percentile!

Between constantly getting sidetracked by Shane's missions and losing an entire month of classes recently, Mara knew she could never catch up, even if she worked herself to the bone.

There was only one way to defeat her—destroy her. Ruin her completely!

Mara gritted her teeth, as a bitter, toxic resentment consumed her.

"Sweetheart, you look a little pale. If you're tired, just take a break. Drink your soup while it's hot.

Just do your best with your studies. You don't need to compete with..."

Mrs. Mercer caught herself, cutting her sentence short.

She had been about to say 'compete with that ungrateful brat,' but quickly pivoted.

"You don't need to compete with the top students. Just keeping up is enough."

Thinking about Mira only deepened the heavy guilt Mrs. Mercer felt toward her biological daughter.

The only reason Mira was so successful was because she had the luxury of growing up in the Mercer household. She had never known a day of hardship and had access to every advantage money could buy.

Meanwhile, Mara had grown up in crippling poverty with a terrible education system. God only knew how much the poor girl had suffered.

And instead of staying home to help Mara adjust, that ungrateful brat threw a tantrum the moment her true sister returned.

She completely deserved to be kicked out of the house.

At that thought, the lingering remorse Lacey had harbored since Mira's departure vanished into thin air.

Realizing her intense expression was showing, Mara instantly forced a bright smile. "I'll do my best, Mom."

She picked up the bowl, taking delicate little sips with her spoon.

Mrs. Mercer stood beside her, watching with a soft, affectionate smile.

But before Mara could take more than a few bites, the cozy atmosphere was shattered by the sharp ringing of a phone.

"Don't answer that. Finish your soup first."

Lacey reached out, blocking Mara's hand as she reached for her cell.

"Who is rude enough to call at this hour?"

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify