Chapter 236 Too Late for Regret
Lauren’s lips lifted into a cold, silent smile.
Dad?
She hadn’t had a father since the day he tossed her aside like trash.
Her voice was calm, her eyes empty.
“You and Willow clearly have this sweet father–daughter thing going. I wouldn’t want to break that up. So how about she goes with you to those mountains of yours? Makes it easier for her to take care of her amazing dad.”
Willow’s entire body began to tremble.
She’d once taken a flight that passed over David’s old hometown–the mountains stretched out forever, wild and endless.
If she ended up out there, she’d never make it back. Worse, she knew what could happen–men in those areas with no wives and no rules.
She’d be trapped.
“No. I’m not going. I won’t!” Willow shook her head over and over, eyes filling with tears.
But Lauren didn’t even blink.
Her begging didn’t matter.
Lauren shifted her eyes to Alice and said, “Madam Alice’s husband cheated, her son’s behind bars, and the shock of it all broke her. Clearly she’s no longer mentally stable. Might as well have her committed to a psychiatric hospital.”
Alice stood there like she’d just been struck by lightning.
Sure, I was devastated. But I wasn’t out of her mind.
She never thought Lauren would go this far.
A psych ward? That’s where they send people who are truly lost. You walk in normal, you don’t come out the same.
“Laurie… I’m your mother. You’re really going to do this to me?”
Lauren smiled softly, almost sweetly, “Oh, Madam Alice, don’t be dramatic. I’m only giving you back the same coldness you once gave me. I learned from you, remember?”
“No, Laurie–please. Just give me a chance. I swear I’ll make it right. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. If I don’t-”
Lauren didn’t even let her finish.
“I don’t need it.”
Lauren looked toward the Brookers, her expression soft and her voice calm, “I’ve got Madam Kate now. Anna, Marilyn… and my fiancé–Mr. Brooker.”
Almost like they were in sync, Felix reached over and gently took her hand, lifting it to show off the sparkling ring on her finger.
His voice was firm and clear, “Laurie already said yes to my proposal. From now on, she’s not alone. I’ll be by her side.”
Lauren looked at him, silent, her eyes slowly filling with tears.
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Chapter 236 Too Late for Regret
Lauren’s smile didn’t waver, she said, “I made it through prison, Madam Alice. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
Alice shook her head over and over, panic taking over.
Finished
“I can’t go there. I won’t. Please don’t send me to a place like that. Laurie, I’m begging you. Just give me one more chance. If you forgive me, I’ll do anything you ask. Anything. Just please forgive me,” she sobbed, her voice breaking.
Lauren stood still, her eyes like ice. She didn’t say a word.
Alice completely broke down. She fell to her knees, then stumbled forward on her hands, crawling toward Lauren like someone drowning–reaching for anything to hold onto.
She stretched out her arms, trying to touch her, to hug her, to prove she meant what she said.
But before her fingers could even graze Lauren’s clothes, Josh stepped in and pulled her away.
“Laurie—please! I’m begging you. Can’t you show me some pity?” Alice cried, loud and desperate, her tears soaking her face as she fell apart right there on the floor.
Lauren finally spoke, voice tight with fury, “Pity? From you? You really think that sounds right coming out of your mouth?”
She gritted her teeth, then spoke slowly, each word like a blade, “At the auction… when Willow drugged me, when I almost lost everything–did any of you pity me?”
Alice froze like she’d just been struck by lightning.
Her eyes darted in panic as the memories came flooding back–one brutal moment after another. That night played back in her head like it had never ended.
She, David, and Elliot had stood there while Lauren was hurting. And instead of helping her, they sided with Willow.
They told Lauren she was being ridiculous. That she was lying. That she was trying to ruin Willow’s reputation.
Lauren lost it. She tackled Willow, pinned her down, and smashed an ashtray over her head.
And after that…
Alice didn’t want to remember, but the memories came anyway.
They left Marilyn outside in the pouring rain. She stood there sobbing, begging them to show Lauren mercy–reminding them she was their daughter.
But all four of them just turned away.
Alice’s strength gave out completely. She collapsed to the floor like a puppet with its strings cut. She couldn’t even look Lauren in the eyes.
Lauren’s smile was sharp and cold, “Having a little flashback, Madam Alice? That was the night you hit me in the head with the ashtray. I was covered in blood. And while it poured outside, you tossed Marilyn out and left her to cry in the rain- begging for you to care about me. But the four of you didn’t move. Not an inch.”
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