Chapter 33 Blood Ties and Broken Bonds Willows eyes sparkled with excitement , and a twisted smile spread across her face .
If thats the case , then perfect ! she sneered .
With Laurens broken body , she probably wont survive a few days under that psychos 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 doesnt catch on .
Hes been glued to Laurens side lately .
If he finds out , hell lose his mind .
David scoffed , waving a dismissive hand .
Ive got it covered .
Just keep your mouth shut and act like nothings going on .
Willow grinned wickedly .
Dont worry , Ill just sit back and wait to watch Lauren suffer , trapped in that twisted bastards 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 Laurens pale , frail face .
Her heart ached .
Laurie , you must be hungry , Alice said softly .
I brought you something- Youre 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 .
Thats something that will never change .
Youre 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 .
Youre not my mother anymore .
Alices 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 , Alices heart tightened painfully .
Her voice trembled as she choked back a sob .
Laurie , please … just eat something , please ? After youve eaten , you can be upset with me however you want .
Her tone was almost pleading Lauren spoke quietly but firmly , Madam Alice .
Im not angry with you .
Ive repaid my debt for bringing me into this world .
From now on , were 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 … youre not angry .
Just ear first , and we can talk afterward .
Get out .
Laurens voice was cold as ice , leaving no room for negotiation .
Laurie … Alice tried one last time , desperate to reach her .
But Laurens 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 cant 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 didnt 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 Laurens 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 couldnt 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 Laurens side .
But she didnt dare .
Over the past few days , shed come to realize the painful truth , Laurie didnt care about her anymore .
Worse still , she didnt want her as a mother .
That reality was something Alice simply couldnt accept .
Laurie was her biological daughter , blood ties couldnt 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 youd 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 .
Shes exhausted .
Alices face darkened , What ? Do I need your permission to see my own daughter now ? I didnt mean it like that , Marilyn said softly .
Then why are you still here ? Alice snapped .
Marilyn wanted to say more , but one look at Alices stern , warning gaze made her sigh in defeat .
With a cold huff , Alice pushed open the door and walked in .
This time , Lauren didnt ask her to leave , There were some things that needed to be said face to face .