Chapter 343 A Home That Was Always Meant to Be
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Lauren sat quietly in the backseat the whole way–calm sweet, the very picture of a well–behaved child.
But when the car finally pulled out of Hoverdale, she looked up curiously and asked, “Daddy, Mommy, where are we going?”
Madam Shirley, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around with a loving smile, “Sweetheart, our home isn’t in Hoverdale. We live in Balewood. We’re headed there now.”
Balewood!
Lauren froze.
That’s where Felir lives.
She never imagined she’d get a chance to go to his city. Maybe just maybe, she’d even get to see him,
again.
The thought of Felix brought a bittersweet ache to her chest.
I wonder how he’s doing now, after I died.
Her teeth gently pressed into her bottom lip as emotion swirled quietly inside her. She turned to look our the window, watching as Hoverdale’s streets slipped into the distance–replaced by sprawling fields and endless highways.
Victor, seated beside her, noticed the subtle shift in her mood. He leaned in slightly and whispered. “Lauren, are you okay? Are you feeling sick?”
His voice was soft, childlike, and kind–completely at odds with his serious expression.
Lauren blinked, then turned to him and smiled. “I’m fine, Victor. I’ve just never been to Balewood before. It’s my first time going to the Capital.”
In both lives, it’s my first time.
Victor hesitated, then reached out and gently patted her head like a little grown–up. “Balewood’s fun. I’ll show you around.”
Something warm bloomed quietly in Lauren’s chest.
A kind brother. A gentle family.
The things she’d never had before… maybe now, she finally would.
The drive from Hoverdale to Balewood took hours. And while Lauren’s mind was sharp, her little body wasn’t built for long trips.
After about an hour, her eyelids began to droop. Not long after, she fell asleep.
By the time the car pulled into Balewood, Lauren was fast asleep.
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Chapter 343 A Home That Was Always Meant to Be
She stirred as she felt herself being lifted.
Finished
Her eyes blinked open, blurry and dazed. The first thing she saw was Mr. Timely’s handsome face,– looming close as he gently scooped her up.
“You’re awake?” he asked softly, clearly disappointed. He’d been trying so hard not to wake her.
She’s like a little mochi ball, he thought wistfully. So soft and warm… nothing like that stiff, grumpy son of mine. Just look at her–so’cuddly!
But the moment Lauren realized he was trying to carry her, she reached out and gently pushed him away.
“Daddy, I can walk by myself.” she said earnestly.
Then she bounced down from the car, turned back, and beamed up at him with a huge smile–proud and bright.
See? I’m a big girl! Aren’t you impressed?
Mr. Timely:”
There went his dream of hugging his squishy little daughter.
He gave a forced laugh. “Amazing. Our Lauren is the best.”
He took her left hand in his, while Madam Shirley held her right.
The three of them walked toward the villa–hand in hand, like a perfect picture of happiness.
Behind them trailed Victor, his small face expressionless, his footsteps quiet.
Just as he started to feel forgotten, Lauren turned around and called, “Victor, come on! Hurry up!”
Victor’s eyes lit up.
The tight line of his lips relaxed into a soft, barely–there smile.
I knew she wouldn’t forget me.
Mom and Dad hadn’t lied–his little sister was cute. Sweet. And she was his.
He liked her already.
When they entered the house, Lauren was stunned.
The Mavis family was even wealthier than she’d imagined.
The entire villa was Western–style–low–key luxury, refined yet opulent.
Even the rosewood furniture in the living room was worth tens of millions.
And that was just the beginning.
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Every corner of the estate gleamed with rare hardwoods and fine craftsmanship. The renovations alone. must’ve cost over nine figures.
hat the hell did I miss out on in my last life?
Still a little dazed. Lauren let Madam Shirley lead her upstairs.
She opened a door, and a burst of soft pink light filled Lauren’s eyes.
Sunlight spilled into the room, bouncing off plush curtains, delicate shelves, and a fairytale canopy bed.
“Lauren, this is your room. We decorated it just for you Do you like it?”
The princess–style bedroom was huge–easily thirty square meters–and it practically glowed in the
afternoon sun.
Lauren’s heart clenched.
She couldn’t help but think of the day she’d first arrived at the Bennett house.
They hadn’t even prepared a room for her.
She’d picked the first empty room she saw–only for Elliot to sneer that it would become a study.
She picked another–he told her that one was for Willow’s music practice.
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