Chapter 327 The Diary She Left Behind
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He slowly walked up to the desk and pulled open the drawer. The diary was still there, tucked neatly inside.
Elliot picked it up and sat on the old folding bed, gently turning to the first page.
The paper had yellowed with time, but the handwriting was still perfectly clear.
His fingers brushed over the page, as if trying to feel what Lauren must have felt when she first wrote those words.
June 12th, 2007. Friday. Sunny
I have a mom and dad now. And a super handsome brother who’s a CEO.
They came to the orphanage today and brought me home.
I used to be a nobody: No one loved me. No one wanted me. But now I’m the real daughter of the Bennett family. It feels like I’m dreaming.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wished for parents I never thought my wish would actually come true.
My dad is tall and dignified. Even though he’s older, he’s still really handsome–like one of those classy older guys in
the movies
My mom is elegant and gorgeous, with the kind of figure you only see in magazines. She dresses so well. She’s stunning and rich.
And my brother… he inherited everything great from them. He’s basically perfect.
I feel so lucky to be part of the Bennett family.
Elliot’s mind drifted.
The scene from that day came flooding back, painfully vivid–sunlight pouring down, the car pulling into the orphanage courtyard, Lauren standing near the entrance with a nervous look on her face.
She’d been wearing a faded old shirt. Her hair was messy. Her expression was timid, but full of hope. Elliot remembered the way he’d furrowed his brow at the sight of her. The disdain in his voice.
“She’s so short. And she looks sickly. Are you guys sure she’s one of us? Honestly, she just looks… poor. I don’t see the resemblance.”
He hadn’t even tried to be subtle. He’d said it loud enough for her to hear–on purpose. Just to put her in her place.
Her face had gone red in an instant. She’d looked down at her shoes, frozen and helpless.
She didn’t argue. Didn’t explain. She just quietly followed them into the car.
The entire ride home, she sat still‘ as a board, like she was afraid even breathing too loud would set him off again.
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Chapter 327 The Diary She Left Behind
Later, she stood in front of their mansion, gazing up at it with wide eyes.
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This is my home now? I get to live in a place like this? Mom, Dad, Brother… I feel so lucky. It’s like I’m
dreaming.”
He’d sneered at her excitement. “You really act like you’ve never seen anything in your life. It’s just a house. You think this means you’ve made it? You came here for the money, didn’t you? Let me be clear- this house is in my mom’s name. Even if it changes hands someday, it’s going to Willow. Not you. Don’t get any ideas,”
Lauren’s face went pale. Her eyes dimmed with hurt.
She lowered her head and said softly. “I’m not here for the money. I just… wanted a family.”
He had just snorted and looked away.
And now–sitting here in that same dusty little room–those memories cut deeper than any blade.
All the little things he’d brushed off back then… they hit him now like a series of punches to the gut.
He finally understood: every smile she’d ever given them was laced with quiet heartbreak. Every kind gesture had been an attempt to fit in–a plea for acceptance.
And he had only ever pushed her further away.
“Lauren… I was so wrong,” he whispered. And for the first time in years, tears rolled freely down his face.
It took a long while before he could bring himself to keep reading.
June 13th, 2007. Saturday. Overcast.
Today was my first day living at the Bennett house.
Since it was Saturday, I woke up early and made breakfast for everyone. I wanted so badly to fit in… I really hoped they’d like what I made.
But I never expected that Willow would be allergic to something in the food. She broke out in a rash all over her body.
Dad, Mom, and my brother didn’t even ask what happened. They just yelled at me–really harshly. The way thes
looked at me… like they hated me.
I was so sad. But I know it was my fault. Willow got sick because of me.
So even when they scolded me, I didn’t argue. I didn’t fight back.
I believe if I keep treating them with love, they’ll eventually change their minds about me.
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