Twelve | Secrets.

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Chapter 12


PRESENT TIME

The laughter from the sidelines pierced through Sabrina concentration

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The laughter from the sidelines pierced through Sabrina concentration. Her mother and Nate, her fiancé, who were engaged in a lively conversation, their heads bent close together. A pang of unease shot through her. They seemed so comfortable, so close. Had they always been like this? She was meant to train Sabrina not flirt with Nate.

Why was she even flirting with him?
"Sabrina, focus!" Her mother's voice, sharp as a serve, cut through the haze of her thoughts.

"You have a lot at stake here. If you don't win this match, you might as well quit now." The words were a harsh reminder of the pressure she was under.

"Can I? I have a job, a good one, that I'd like to get back to," Sabrina countered, her voice wavering.

"You used to be somebody, and you're gonna throw that all away, on the catwalk?" her mother snorted, referring to Sabrina's newfound passion for fashion.

"I'd rather be anywhere than here," Sabrina muttered, feeling the weight of her mother's disapproval pressing down on her.

"Win that fucking game, and lift your arm higher when you serve!" her mother barked, her words dripping with disappointment.

As Sabrina sat on the bench, her daughter, Gracie, skipped onto the court, her tiny hand clutching a stuffed bear. "Mommy," she squealed, jumping into Sabrina's lap. "Guess what?"

"What?"

"I helped daddy win over a date, and now he has a nice one-night stay," Gracie announced, her innocent eyes reflecting the disturbing truth of her father's actions. "Daddy called it that."

Patrick, scoffed, denying it with a forced laugh. "I did not, you little terror... I didn't!"

"You're using our daughter to get dates?"Sabrina asked, her voice sharp with accusation. Partick burst out laughing, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

'She's got an adorable face, who wouldn't love this face?' he said, pulling Gracie's cheeks, making her grimace.

Gracie looked at Sabrina, then at her grandmother and her mother's fiancé, her face a mixture of confusion and sadness. Sabrina, consumed by the impending match, didn't seem to notice. Patrick looked up at Gracie's gaze and his smile faltered. He cleared his throat, turning to Sabrina. "Hey, Bri," Patrick grabbed her racquet, his face becoming serious. "Let's practice."

"Can't I just drop out?" Sabrina asked, feeling utterly defeated.

"No, I'm gonna coach you," Patrick said, his voice filled with determination.

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