Chapter 119 A Crushing Realization #Finished Northerest University the dream of millions , the pinnacle of academic excellence , Countless students fought for a place , many failing along the way .
Yet Lauren , the sister he had always misunderstood , rejected , and despised , had secured an offer from that prestigious university ..
Elliots hand reached uncontrollably for the acceptance letter , as if touching something both precious and fragile .
The moment his fingers brushed the paper , a jolt ran through his body , as like he had been struck by a surge of electricity .
Memories flooded his mind .
His disbelief in her .
The way he let their familys accusations pile onto her Her shock in court when he testified against her .
flis cold indifference while she rotted in prison .
Each memory was a blade , stabbing deep into his heart His breath came in quick , chest rising and falling rapidly like a drowning man gasping for air .
Dizziness overtook him , his vision growing blurry as his eyes reddened .
I ruined her … I destroyed her life with my own hands .
His voice was hoarse , barely more than a whisper .
tears welling up and spilling over , trickling down his checks and dripping onto the letter , staining the crisp paper .
Regret and guilt were all over his face , his body sagged into the chair , drained of all strength .
He stared ahead , lost , as if the world had collapsed around him .
Guilt weighed down on him , heavier than he had ever imagined .
The certificates , the acceptance letter each one was a stark reminder of what he had stolen from her , irrefutable evidence of the harm he could never undo .
His hands trembled violently .
A wave of darkness clouded his vision , threatening to pull him under .
Elliot inhaled heavily , forcing himself to stay conscious and keep from collapsing ..
He took a long time to steady his breathing .
Finally , he wiped away the tears on his face with the back of his hand , his fingers still shaking .
As he moved to place the acceptance letter back into the drawer .
In the corner , partially hidden beneath some papers , was a small , worn diary .
His hand hovered over it .
He was caught in a moment of intense conflict .
A voice in his mind told him to stop .
1/3 Chapter 119 A Crushing Realization Reading it would only bring more pain , more regret .
Finished But another voice one filled with desperate curiosity , with the need to understand Lauren , to finally see what he had never cared to before pushed him forward .
his hand seemed to have its owns mind as it uncontrollably picked up the notebook .
Flipping it open , the first thing he saw was a family photo tucked inside .
In the picture , his parents sat in the center , smiling .
His mother held Berry , their beloved dog , who had lived for eighteen years before passing away .
When Berry died , the family was engulfed in sadness and even held a special funeral for him .
So deep was their sorrow that they never got another pet .
Even now , Berrys room remained untouched , preserved with all his favorite toys .
Beside their parents , Elliot stood on one side , while Willow clung to their mothers arm on the other .
The perfect family , four of them looked so happy together .
And Lauren … She stood off to the side , separated from him by an empty space .
His mind flashed back to that day .
It had been Labor Day .
The weather was perfect , the garden in full bloom .
Willow had suggested they take a family photo in the backyard .
They were all set up , ready to pose , when she suddenly remembered Berry wasnt there .
She called out for him .
It was Lauren who brought the dog over , holding him carefully in her arms .
She hesitated before asking .
Elliot , what are you doing ? He had responded very perfunctorily , Taking a family photo .
Her eyes had lit up .
She had thought that she would also be included in the family photo .
She stepped closer , standing beside him .
At the time , he had a strict rule that no woman could get too close to him except Willow .
Laurens presence made him uncomfortable .
Without thinking , he had pushed her away .
He hadnt even noticed the flicker of sadness in her eyes .
Afterward , Willow suggested a family trip .
None of them hesitated .
Bags were packed , plans made .
The four of them and their dog left for a meating that lasted until the venir bet dau of the holiday 2/3 20:17 Fri , Mar 28 Chapter 119 A Crushing Realization Elliot remembered that night vividly .
For the first time in their lives , Lauren had confronted them .
Why didnt you take me with you ? He had been exhausted from traveling , irritated by her sudden confrontation .
Youre not really a Bennett , he snapped .
Why would we bring you ? A dog had been given the central spot in their family photo .
A dog had a room of its own , kept spotless by housekeepers .
And yet Lauren , his own sister , had been left behind .
260 Finished 20:18 Fri , Mar 28 BB The Heiress Revived from the Ashes