Chapter 12 Don’t Want to Stay? Then Leave
#Finished
Lauren looked at Willow calmly. She hadn’t done anything yet, but Willow acted as if she had been frightened out of her wits Trembling, she took several steps back, her face turning pale. “Laurie, please don’t look at me like that. You’re scaring me.”
David furiously shoved Lauren aside and roared, “What are you trying to do to Willow?”
Lauren lost her balance, staggering backward until she crashed into the railing. She nearly fell from the second floor, yet no one seemed to care. David and Alice both shielded Willow, their faces filled with wariness and suspicion as they looked at Lauren
Elliot prepared to reprimand her, but the words froze in his throat. He thought about the torment she had endured in prison, and suddenly, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything hurtful. Lauren’s expression remained cold, but the slight curve of her lips betrayed her mockery.
So, this was my family
The moment Willow showed even the slightest hint of distress, she became the target of everyone’s condemnation. Back when she still cared about this family, a single glance and a single word from them could shake her emotions. But now, she no longer cared. Their misunderstandings no longer stirred any reaction in her heart. She didn’t explain; she simply lowered her gaze.
Her refusal to react regardless of what they said, made Elliot’s heart ache unbearably. He couldn’t help but ask, “Did you hit your head? Are you hurt?”
Lauren looked up, surprised. For a moment, she couldn’t reconcile this concerned Elliot with the one who had always ridiculed and humiliated her. Habit is a terrifying thing. He showed me the slightest bit of kindness, and I found myself unaccustomed to
“No, it doesn’t hurt Compared to having her leg broken, a bump was nothing.
“You.. heard everything just now?”
Lauren paused, realizing what he was referring to. She responded with a soft “Mm.” And that was it
That was all? I had terminated Bennett Corporation’s partnership with Gray Corporation for her. That decision had cost both companies 140 million dollars overnight. After all that, did I not even deserve a word of gratitude?
A wave of frustration surged from his chest to his stomach, twisting like a hundred needles piercing him at once. pain flared up again. As if punishing Lauren, Elliot paled and fixed his gaze on her.
His stomach
In the past, whenever he had stomach aches, she was always the one most worried about him. He looked at her with expectation, hoping to see some trace of concern–some trace of pain- in her eyes. Even if it was just a simple word of worry, then everything he had done today would have been worth it. But there was nothing, Lauren’s gaze didn’t linger on him for even a second, there wasn’t even a shred of sympathy..
“If there’s nothing else, I’m going back to my room.” Her tone was calm, but her words cut like a dull knife, leaving wounds that bled slowly and deeply. Under the gaze of four pairs of eyes, she turned, and despite her himp, descended the stairs with unwavering determination
Elliot gripped the railing with both hands, his eyes filled with pain and disappointment as he watched her leave. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She used to care so much about me. Whenever I had stomach aches, she would cry while searching for my medicine, wishing she could take the pain for me. How could she not care anymore?
“Lauren!” He gritted his teeth against the pain and shouted.
Lauren instinctively paused. Seeing this, hope lit up in Elliot’s eyes. His voice softened, laced with a hint of grievance. “Laurie, my stomach hurts.”
He had given her an opening, an excuse to show she still cared. But who said she had to take it?
Lauren looked up at Elliot, her lips curling into a faint smirk filled with mockery. “If Mr. Elliot has a stomachache, you should call a doctor, not me.”
Elliot heard the sound of his heart shattering. Every ounce of expectation he had was rendered laughable by her indifferent
arta Pain enmulfed him inctsnde bir hadi unable to hald un sau lanmer Ha enllanead anta hie knane Var he crill minned the
1/2
Chapter 12 Don’t Want to Stay? Then Leave
railing tightly, staring at Lauren through the gaps between the bars.
Finished
But she didn’t even glance at him. She turned away, not intending to help him at all. Her coldness ignited David’s fury. He roared at her retreating figure, Lauren, get back here and bring your brother his medicine right now!”
Alice sobbed and pleaded with her, “Lauric, you’ve always been the one to take care of him when he’s sick. How can you just stand by and watch We’re family; does it really have to come to this?”
Even Willow chimed in, her voice carrying righteous indignation. Laurie. I know you’ve built up resentment after five years in prison, but how can you gamble with your brother’s life? You’re the only one who knows which medicine works better for
Lauren stopped walking. The Bennett family thought they had finally convinced her. But when she turned back, they saw a smile on her face. Her smile was as sharp as a blade. “So, you did notice all the things I used to do. You just never cared: it never mattered. Since that’s the case, I’ll take it all back. From now on, whether the Bennett family thrives or falls, whether you
Live
or die, it has nothing to do with me. After all, you never cared about me. And now, I’ve run out of care for you too.”
Her words struck like a hammer, shattering the last bit of illusion David, Alice, and Elliot had Alice sobbed harder, tears streaming down her face. She looked at Lauren with sorrowful eyes. “Laurie, that’s not true; you’re the daughter I carried for ten months and gave birth to. I wanted you more than anything.”
David’s face darkened, his expression twisting with rage. “We gave birth to such an ungrateful daughter. I should’ve known you were rebellious, cruel, and jealous, always targeting and bullying Willow. We never should have taken you back All you’ve done is bring chaos into this family”
Alice’s sobs grew quieter. She reached out and tugged at David’s sleeve. “Don’t say that about our daughter.” David let out a cold snort and shot Lauren a fierce glare.
Willow spoke softly, her voice tinged with guilt “Dad, it’s only fair for Laune to resent me. I took her place as the Bennett family’s daughter and enjoyed the love that should have been hers. If it makes her feel better, I’m willing to take the blame.” As she spoke, she let out a soft sob Laurie. I can leave if that’s what you want. Just please don’t upset Mom and Dad anymore. And don’t ignore Elliot when he’s suffering, okay?”
Lauren remained still calmly watching their performance. She waited until they had finished their act before she spoke, her Tone slow and deliberate. “Are you done? I’m going to bed”
Her complete indifference sent David into a fit of rage. His finger pointed straight at Lauren. his eyes filled with disappointment. “Didn’t you say you had no feelings for this family? Then why did you come back? You spent five years in prison. You’re a convict, a stain on the Bennett family! Who evenallowed you to return? If you have no attachment to this family, then leave right now! No one’s stopping you.”
David’s voice grew even colder. “These past few years without you have been the happiest we’ve ever had. The second you came back, all you did was cop an attitude, like we owe you something Let the make my point clear–we brought you into this world, and that’s all we ever owed you. Nothing more?
Send Gifts
