Chapter 13 Leaving the Bennetts Family , Im Moving to Garrison City Lauren had always known they didnt care about her , but hearing those words from David still sent a sharp pain through her heart .
He didnt love me , not even enough to pretend .
Fortunately , she hid her emotions well .
No one could see the pain beneath her stubborn exterior Alright , she said flatly David frowned .
What did you say ? Looking up at the four people standing on the second floor .
Lauren met their gazes and spoke with a calm resolve .
Alright , Ill leave the Bennett family right now .
From this day forward , I sever all ties with you .
Mr.
David , Madam Alice , rest assured I will never bother you again .
Even if I die out there , I wont come back .
With that , she felt nothing for this place anymore .
Three years of wounds had already taught me a harsh lesson .
How could I still hope for a love that was never meant for me ? This time , she walked quickly .
Her injured leg throbbed with pain , but she gritted her teeth and kept moving .
For the first time , a glimmer of light shone in her dark eyes the light of breaking free from her chains and of embracing freedom .
In no time , she reached the living room door and pulled it open .
She left without hesitation , without looking back .
Her departure was absolute .
Elliots pupils constricted .
He wanted to chase after her , but his stomach pain had drained him of all strength .
All he could do was shout at the closing door , Lauren , get back here .
His voice echoed through the vast living room , consuming the last of his energy .
But Lauren never looked back ; she vaguely heard someone yelling , but she couldnt make out the words .
Not that it mattered ; the door had already shut behind her , and with her impaired hearing in one ear , their voices no longer reached her .
Whatever they were saying , it had nothing to do with me anymore .
The moment she stepped out of the Bennett Residence , the suffocating weight on her shoulders lifted .
Her steps felt lighter ; she walked for about five minutes when she noticed someone approaching from the opposite direction .
It was late at night , and suddenly seeing a man on the street made her tense .
Instinctively , she stepped into the shadows , hiding from the streetlights.
As the man came closer , she recognized him at a glance ..
Jeffrey was Elliots friend , and her strongest impression of him could be summed up in one word sharp tongued She still remembered the first time they met .
He had given her a once over , then remarked , So shabby ; if you didnt look a little like Elliot , no one would believe youre a Bennett family members Elliot had been standing right there at the time , yet he hadnt stopped Jeffreys mockery .
He had merely exhaled ant ambiguous breath , Back then , what hurt the most wasnt Jeffreys deliberate hostility ; it was Elliots indifference .
She had been only fifteen , she had finally found her family , yet when someone bullied her , not a single person had stood up for her .
At that moment , she had felt like a stray dog .
So pathetic ! Jeffrey passed by without noticing her in the shadows .
Lauren followed him with her eyes until he entered the Bennett Residence .
She realized , then , that he was probably here to treat Elliot .
Emerging from the darkness , Lauren quickened her pace .
Her original plan was to find a motel for the night and search for a job in the morning .
Now , she changed her mind .
/ had to leave Hoverdale .
She had overheard the conversation in the study room earlier .
David clearly intended to follow Kenneths demand , to make her kneel at Elaines hospital bed and beg for forgiveness .
But why should I do this ? David and Alice both knew that Elaine had been pushed down the stairs by Willow , Yet , they still insisted that she take the fall .
She had once longed for parental love , and for that , she had paid the price of five years in prison , a broken leg , partial deafness , and the loss of a kidney .
Her body had already been battered beyond repair .
Now , they wanted her to clean up Elliots mess .
To protect Bennett Corporation , Lauren was sure the Bennett family would come looking for her again .
She hated hem , but more than that , she feared Kenneth .
She had experienced his cruelty firsthand in prison .
That was the darkest chapter of her life .
She never wanted to go through that again ; her body wouldnt survive it .
I needed to escape : I had to Jeane Hoverdale dicennaar in a slave suhere theu mould meer And nur 1/2 Chapter 13 Leaving the Bennetts Family , Im Moving to Garrison City She counted the 300 dollars in her hand , all of it from Marilyn .
Thinking of Marilyn made her eyes misty .
Would I ever get the chance to repay her ? Standing by the roadside , she waited a long time before finally flagging down a taxi Where to ? the driver asked , rolling down the window .
How much for the South City train station ? at Finished You leaving Hoverdale ? In the daytime , itd be around 40 dollars , but this late at night , itll cost you 70 dollars .
Can you manage that ? Without hesitation , Lauren got in .
She already had a plan get out of Hoverdale as soon as possible .
Once she reached South Citys train station , shed catch a train north to Garrison City .
Word was , houses there were the cheapest in the country just a few thousand bucks for a whole place .
It was the perfect spot for someone like her .
As long as she avoided big cities and crowded places , as long as she tucked herself away in a remote , freezing , resource- depleted town like Garrison City , the Bennetts family would never find her .
Imagining a peaceful , laid back life there , a sliver .
Jof hope flickered in her ice cold heart .
Leaning against the car window , she gazed at the dazzling city lights of Hoverdales center .
Towering skyscrapers lined the streets , their facades adorned with neon lights , some flashing high end brand logos , others .
displaying stunning advertisements , painting the city in vibrant colors .
The warm yellow glow of the streetlights softened her features .
Traffic was sparse at this hour .
The taxi sped down the road .
Two hours later , she arrived at South City train station .
Lauren took out her ID and bought a ticket .
She was lucky ; there was still a ticket available for the one oclock morning train .
She only had to wait one more hour before she could leave and go to Garrison City .
The waiting area was nearly empty at this time of night .
She found a quiet corner and sat down to rest .
Half asleep , she vaguely heard an announcement over the station speakers .
She was exhausted .
Her right ear was damaged , so she didnt catch the words clearly .
Five minutes later , another announcement rang out [ Attention passengers ! Train 205 from South City to Garrison City is now boarding .
Please have your tickets and belongings ready and proceed to the designated gate for check in .
Lauren jolted awake , eyes snapping open .
She quickly looked toward the gate ; passengers were already lining up for boarding .
Excitement surged within her .
Once I step onto that train , the Bennetts family will never find me again She wasted no time , getting up and heading straight to the boarding line .
Step by step , she followed the queue .
When it was her turn , she handed her ticket to the attendant .
Just as the attendant was about to take it , a large hand suddenly reached out , gripping her wrist and the ticket tightly .
Lauren turned around sharply , her pupils constricting in shock .
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