Chapter 27 If Birth Alone Is a Debt , Then Let Me Repay It With a Finger Jack , if you touch Marilyn again .
Ill kill you .
Finished Lauren called David by name , her voice sharp as a blade , her eyes filled with the kind of desperation that left no room for negotiation For a moment , David froze , startled by the sheer intensity of her gaze But then rage flooded over his hesitation , hotter , stronger , and uncontrollable .
You little bitch , you dare threaten me now ? Lets see if I dont beat you to death today ! He lunged at her again , swinging wildly .
Marilyn immediately threw herself in front of Lauren , shielding her once more .
The leather belt lashed across Marilyns back , her body swaying from the force of the blow .
But she didnt fall She stayed standing , stubborn and unyielding .
Laurens tears spilled over , streaming down her face .
Kill him .
Kill him .
Kill him , That was the only thought in her mind .
Her life was already in ruins .
When she got out of prison , she had planned to disappear , to find a quiet place where no one knew her name and live the rest of her days in peace .
But the Bennett family wouldnt let her go .
They had to keep tormenting her .
She was so tired .
Every second of her existence was suffering .
There was no point in going on If she had to die then fine .
But shed take them with her Lets all die together ! With a sudden burst of strength , she shoved Marilyn aside .
Marilyn stumbled backward , barely managing to stay on her feet .
Ignoring the pain in her leg , Lauren ran toward the kitchen .
When she came back out , she was holding a knife .
Her gaze locked onto David like a predator tracking its prey , and she walked straight toward him .
Davids eyes flickered with fear when he saw the blade in her hands .
But his pride refused to let him back down .
Lauren .
what the hell do you think youre doing ? Are you out of your damn mind ? Crazy ? Lauren let out a wild , hollow laugh .
Yeah , I lost my mind .
And youre the ones who drove me to it ! With a scream , she raised the knife and swung , There was no hesitation .
No second guessing Only pure , unfiltered hatred .
Davids face drained of color as he instinctively ducked to the side The knife missed him by inches , slicing through the air with a sharp whoosh- Chapter 27 If Birth Alone Is a Debt , Then Let Me Repay It With a Finger And buried itself into the massive porcelain vase behind him .
Crash ! The vase shattered instantly , shards flying in every direction .
Everyone in the room froze , eyes wide in shock .
There was no doubt Lauren hadnt been bluffing .
She had every intention of killing him .
For the first time , David was truly afraid .
His legs trembled as he stumbled backward .
Finished He never thought that the daughter he used to beat and humiliate without consequence would one day be ready to take his life .
It was true what they said .
The poor feared the ruthless , and the ruthless feared those who had nothing left to lose .
Lauren , this is a crime ! David stammered .
Lauren took another step forward , the knife still clutched tightly in her hand .
Im already dead inside .
You think I give a shit about the law ? David was terrified .
His false bravado crumbled .
Alice finally snapped out of her daze , her protective instincts kicking in as she ran to block Lauren .
Lauren , put the knife down ! Were family .
We can talk this through ! Talk ? Lauren laughed again , her voice broken .
I tried talking .
You never listened .
But now that Ive had enough and Im ready to kill , suddenly you want to talk ! Youre telling me I deserved to be bullied and beaten because I didnt fight back ? Alice shook her head frantically , No , no , thats not what I meant- Laurens eyes filled with cold amusement .
Isnt it ? Alices heart clenched painfully .
She reached for Lauren , pleading .
Lauren , please , listen to your mother .
I know youre hurting .
Tell me whats wrong , and Ill listen , I promise .
Laurens face twisted .
Too late .
Madam Alice , she said mockingly , I wont touch you .
You gave birth to me , so Ill spare you .
But Jack and Willow one them is dying tonight .
And after that .
Ill turn myself in .
Alices face went deathly pale .
Lauren , no ! Why not ? Lauren sneered .
Murderers should pay with their lives .
Thats what you taught me , isnt it ? Alice was trembling .
Lauren , if you do this , youll regret it for the rest of your life .
Youre still young .
You still have a future .
Laurens lips curled into something resembling a smile , but it was cold , empty .
Regret ? My only regret is coming back to this house Tell me something .
Madam Alice .
Her voice was eerily calm now .
In the five years I spent in prison , did you ever regret what you did to me ? When I was being beaten , when they broke my leg , when I had to fight just to stay alive where were You Were you thinking about me ? Alice opened her mouth , but no words came out .
You werent , were you ? Laurens voice sharpened .
Because in your eyes , I was nothing .
Only Willow mattered .
Even though shes the one who framed me .
Shes the one who shouldve gone to prison .
But you all stood by and let it happen .
Tell me , Alice .
Her voice cracked .
Why was I the only one who had to suffer ? 21 Chapter 27 If Birth Alone Is a Debt .
Then Let Me Repay It With a Finger Finished Alice couldnt answer .
Lauren let out a breathless laugh .
You cant even lie your way out of it , huh ! Thats how you know its true .
Fine , then .
Lets end this tonight She raised the knife high , its blade glinting under the chandeliers light- And swung it straight at Willow .
Alice screamed , lunging forward and wrapping her arms around Lauren to stop her , Willow , run ! Go find your brother Lauren thrashed against her .
Let go of me , Madam Alice ! Alice sobbed , her grip tightening .
Lauren , Im not Madam Alice ! Im your mother ! Youre not I am ! I gave birth to your Alices voice cracked with desperation Please , my baby , listen to me dont do this ! Lauren suddenly stopped struggling .
Hope flickered in Alices eyes But then- Lauren laughed .
Not the kind of laugh that came from amusement .
It was the kind that chilled the bones .
You gave birth to me ? Lauren whispered .
And you think that means you own me ? That I owe you for simply existing ? Alice flinched .
A horrible feeling spread through her chest .
Lauren met her gaze Fine If birth alone is a debt , then let me repay it Alices breath caught , Lauren , what are you- Lauren pulled herself free , stepping back .
She placed her left hand flat on the dining table , her fingers spread out She looked Alice dead in the eye .
Birth without raising warrants a severed finger Raising without birth warrants a severed head ? Without birth and without raising the debt is never owed Madam Alice, Lauren said softly , the life you gave me is worth only one finger Without hesitation , she raised the knife- And brought it down .
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