Chapter 28 If You Want to Die .
Do It Alone We Owe You Nothing .
llow yanked open the door and bolted out , only to slam straight into a solid chest She looked up saw Elliot , and immediately burst into tears .
Help me ! Lauren is trying to kill me The stench of alcohol still clung to Elliot , but most of the drunken hare had cleared from his mind .
His brows furrowed at Willow a wordds , and he was about to lash out at Lauren- But before he could say anything Abce let out a sharp , terrified scream Elliot turned his head just in time to see Laurens knife come down , slicing clean through the pinky finger of her left hand .
Blood gushed out instantly , splattering onto the floor in a gruesome red bloom Elliots pupils shrank .
His entire body went rigid .
He couldnt believe what he was seeing Lauren had actually cut of her own finger A sharp pain tore through his chest , sobering him completely Lauren he bellowed .
What the hell are you doing ? He tried to rush toward her , but Willow clung onto him desperately , sobbing .
Brother .
Laurens gone crazy ! Im scared Irritation surged through him .
He wrenched free from her crp without hesitation , shoving her aside .
Caught off guard .
Willow stumbled back nearly falling to the floor .
Her eyes widened in shock , filled with disbelief as she watched Elliot rush past her without a second thought .
down Elliot reached Lauren in seconds .
He grabbed her wrist staring at the blood streaming down her hand .
His voice shook Lauren are you insane ? How could you do this to yourself ? But Lauren didnt even seem to hear him .
She didnt even flinch from the pain Her hollow , emotionless gaze remained locked onto Alice Tve repaid the debt of birth .
From now on you and I owe each other nothing Alices face was as white as a sheet Her entire body trembled violently as she shook her head in disbelief .
No , no , thats not But Lauren didnt stop ! Her voice remained eerily calm .
As for Jack and Willow , they framed me .
They ruined my life .
Thats a debt I will settle tonight They must die .
They all have to die .
Her grip on the bloodstained knife tightened .
She stepped forward , her gaze dark and unwavering as she stared straight at David .
Davids entire body went cold .
A shiver crawled up his spine , spreading through every limb His legs , once firm and steady , turned weak , trembling uncontrollably .
His teeth chattered , fear gripping him like an icy fist Lauren , 11 was wrong ! I swear , I wont hit you again .
Ill treat you well from now on , okay ? His voice wavered with panic .
Lauren let out a quiet laugh .
Youre not sorry .
Youre just afraid of dying Jack , you beat me until I was covered in bruises , until my body barely functioned .
You made my life hell .
But now , theres no reason for me to keep living .
So why dont you die with me ? Chapter 28 If You Want to Die , Do It Alone We Owe You Nothing The moment she finished speaking , she lunged at him .
David screamed .
Pure , unfiltered terror flashed across his face as he stumbled backward , nearly collapsing .
Elliot he shrieked .
What the hell are you standing there for ? Restrain that lunatic already ! Elliots heart pounded in his chest .
Lauren had completely lost it Finished He didnt hesitate he surged forward , grabbing her arms in a vice grip , locking her in place before she could bring the knife down again .
Lauren , stop Lauren thrashed violently , fighting against his hold with all the strength she had left .
Her eyes , bloodshot and filled with pure hatred , bored into him .
It was as if her soul had already shattered , leaving behind only vengeance .
And then- Alice stepped forward .
Her face was no longer filled with remorse or grief .
Only fury .
She raised her hand- And slapped Lauren across the face .
Hard The sound echoed through the room like a whip cracking in the air .
For a brief moment , everything fell into complete silence .
How long are you going to keep acting like this ? Alices voice was sharp , ice cold , laced with venom .
Each word was a dagger straight into Laurens heart Ever since you came back , this house has known no peace .
Weve had to tiptoe around your tantrums and put up with your endless drama .
And for what ? Havent you caused enough chaos already ! You want to die ! Her voice rose into a furious shrick .
Then go ahead and die ! But dont drag us down with you ! We owe you nothing ! Each word was harsher than the last , each one cutting deeper than any blade .
Lauren stood frozen .
The madness in her eyes dimmed , replaced by something far worse .
Emptiness .
Her lips trembled as if she wanted to say something , but no sound came out .
For the first time in her life , she truly felt like she had been abandoned by the entire world .
A mothers words could be the sharpest knife of all .
Alice had just proven that .
Chapter 28 If You Want to Die , Do It Alone We Owe You Nothing The light drained from Laurens eyes .
Her limbs went limp Her vision blurred The room spun And then- Everything faded to black She collapsed Elliot barely caught her in time .
His panic flared as he lifted her into his arms .
Finished Marilyns eyes filled with horror .
She knelt beside Laurens unconscious body : her hands shaking .
She looked at her bloodied hand and clenched it into a fist .
Sir , we need to get her to a hospital .
Now She bent down and picked up Laurens severed finger , holding it tightly as if that alone could somehow fix this nightmare .
Elliot didnt waste another second .
He turned and rushed out of the house .
Behind him , David let out a cold , dismissive snort Why take her to the hospital Just dump her outside .
Ungrateful brats like her deserve to die .
Alice flinched The weight of her own words came crashing down on her She had told her own daughter to die She had actually said that .
Her hands trembled violently as guilt clawed at her chest , suffocating her .
What had she done ? Davids cruel indifference only made her snap Fury overtook her regret .
She turned on him with a scream .
Jack , you bastard ! She slapped him .
Harder than she had ever slapped anyone in her life .
Davids head whipped to the side .
He stared at her in shock , his eyes wide with disbelief .
What the hell is wrong with you Alices tears wouldnt stop If you hadnt beaten Lauren , none of this would have happened ! Beste David scoffed .
Oh , shut up .
You didnt stop me before , did you ? Dont act all high and mighty now .
Alice choked on her own sobs .
Her knees buckled , and she crumpled to the floor , her face buried in her hands .
Meanwhile , Willow stood quietly in the corner , her expression unreadable Her fingers curled slightly No one knew what she was thinking Chapter 28 If You Want to Die .
Do It Alone We Owe You Nothing The hospitals bright lights pierced through the night Elliot barged into the emergency room , his heart pounding as doctors rushed to take Lauren from his arms .
They placed her on a stretcher , working quickly to stop the bleeding and stabilize her condition Elliot stood frozen outside the ER , his hands clenched into fists His mind was a complete mess Marilyn sat beside him , her face full of concern .
She kept glancing at him , as if debating whether to speak .
Finally , he turned to her , his voice hoarse .
Marilyn What the hell happened : How did Lauren end up like this .
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