Chapter 33 Blood Ties and Broken Bonds
Willow’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and a twisted smile spread across her face.
“If that’s the case, then perfect!” she sneered.
With Lauren’s broken body, she probably won’t survive a few days under that psycho’s twisted games. Saves me the trouble of dealing with her myself.
She leaned in closer to David, her voice low and urgent. “Dad, when are you planning to act? Just make sure Elliot doesn’t catch on. He’s been glued to Lauren’s side lately. If he finds out, he’ll lose his mind.”
David scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. “I’ve got it covered. Just keep your mouth shut and act like nothing’s going on.”
Willow grinned wickedly. “Don’t worry, I’ll just sit back and wait to watch Lauren suffer, trapped in that twisted bastard’s hands, begging for death but forced to keep on living.”
At the Hospital
Lauren sat quietly, staring blankly out the window.
The sound of footsteps broke the silence as Alice and Marilyn entered the room.
Hearing the noise, Lauren turned her head. When her gaze landed on Alice, her expression turned cold and indifferent.
Alice walked to her bedside, took a seat, and looked at Lauren’s pale, frail face. Her heart ached.
“Laurie, you must be hungry, Alice said softly. I brought you something-
“You’re not my mother, Lauren cut her off coldly.
Alice froze, her face stiffening. Pain twisted in her chest, but she forced herself to stay calm.
“Whether you accept it or not, I am your mother. That’s something that will never change.”
“You’re not, Lauren repeated firmly. “You gave birth to me but failed to raise me. Now I have repaid my debt by cutting at finger and severed ties with you. You’re not my mother anymore.”
Alice’s eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up and threatening to spilt over.
“Laurie… do you really hate me that much?” Her voice trembled. Tell me… what can I do to make you accept me?”
Lauren remained silent.
She would never accept her in this lifetime.
Seeing her silence, Alice’s heart tightened painfully. Her voice trembled as she choked back a sob.
“Laurie, please… just eat something, please? After you’ve eaten, you can be upset with me however you want.”
Her tone was almost pleading
Lauren spoke quietly but firmly, “Madam Alice. I’m not angry with you. I’ve repaid my debt for bringing me into this world. From now on, we’re strangers.”
–
Her voice was cold, distant devoid of the warmth a daughter should have toward her mother.
Alice felt another sharp stab in her heart. Forcing a strained smile, she whispered, “Okay… okay… you’re not angry. Just ear first, and we can talk afterward.”
“Get out.” Lauren’s voice was cold as ice, leaving no room for negotiation.
“Laurie… Alice tried one last time, desperate to reach her. But Lauren’s next words shattered what little courage she had left.
12:25 PM 54
Chapter 33 Blood Ties and Broken Bonds
With quiet finality, Lauren said, “I can’t eat with you here.”
+8 Pearls
Alice froze, as if struck by lightning Her body swayed, her face turned ghostly pale, and tears welled up in her eyes. Just before they could spill over, she turned sharply and hurried out of the room as if running away.
Outside the ward, she leaned against the cold wall, covering her mouth to stifle her sobs. Yet despite her efforts, muffled cries still escaped from her throat.
She didn’t know how long she had been crying. Only when her emotions finally settled did she glance through the window
on the door.
Inside, she saw Marilyn sitting by Lauren’s bedside, carefully feeding her one spoonful at a time.
Faced with Alice, Lauren had been cold and distant. Yet now, sitting with Marilyn, she was smiling.
Those once lifeless eyes now held a flicker of warmth.
Alice couldn’t hear what they were talking about. She could only see Lauren and Marilyn chanting and laughing together.
It was as if they were the real mother and daughter.
The sight pierced her heart like a knife
For a moment, she had the overwhelming urge to barge in, pull Marilyn away, and take her place by Lauren’s side.
But she didn’t dare.
Over the
past few days, she’d come to realize the painful truth, Laurie didn’t care about her anymore. Worse still, she didn’t want her as a mother.
That reality was something Alice simply couldn’t accept.
Laurie was her biological daughter, blood ties couldn’t be severed so easily. No matter what Lauren said, how could their bond just end like
that?
Alice waited outside the room for a long time before Marilyn finally came out.
When she saw Alice still standing there, Marilyn looked surprised.
“I thought you’d already left, Marilyn said.
“Madam, should we head back now?”
Alice shot her a disapproving look. “You can go home first.”
With that, she turned and reached for the door handle, clearly intending to go back inside.
Marilyn hesitated. “Madam, maybe we should give Ms. Bennett some rest. She’s exhausted.”
Alice’s face darkened, “What? Do I need your permission to see my own daughter now?”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Marilyn said softly.
“Then why are you still here? Alice snapped.
Marilyn wanted to say more, but one look at Alice’s stern, warning gaze made her sigh in defeat.
With a cold huff, Alice pushed open the door and walked in.
This time, Lauren didn’t ask her to leave,
There were some things that needed to be said face–to–face.
