Chapter 19 Kenneth Forces Her to Apologize Lauren stood by Elaines bedside , staring down at her motionless form .
Elaine , its me .
Lauren .
You hate me so much you should recognize my voice , right ? Ive heard some coma patients are still aware of their surroundings .
I wonder if you can hear me now .
If you can , when are you going to wake up ? She kept talking , her voice quiet and steady .
But the woman in the hospital bed didnt stir .
Not even the slightest response .
The sharp scent of antiseptic filled the air , cold and sterile .
The stark white walls and crisp hospital sheets only made Elaines frail , skeletal frame look even more fragile .
Lauren slowly sat down by the bed , her eyes fixed on Elaines pale , lifeless face .
You know , everyone thinks I did this to you .
But you know better than anyone that Im innocent .
You and I both know the truth .
Youve been in a coma for five years … and I spent those five years in prison for a crime Willow committed .
You have no idea what it was like in there .
They stabbed me with needles , beat me with sticks … they even took one of my kidneys .
All because of Kenneth he made sure I suffered , all in the name of revenge for you .
Sunlight streamed through the small gaps in the curtains , casting fractured patterns of light across the floor .
But no amount of warmth could cut through the cold , suffocating air in the hospital room Lauren took a deep breath , forcing her tears back .
I still remember the first time I met you .
You smiled so brightly , like a princess straight out of a fairy tale .
Back then , 1 envied you .
You had a family who adored you a life of privilege , and so many friends .
And me ? I finally returned to the Bennett family , but I never once felt like I belonged … And now .
Im nothing but a disgrace a convicted criminal everyone despises .
But we both know the truth .
It wasnt me who hurt you .
It was Willow Overwhelmed by a deep sense of injustice , tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks before she could stop them .
She wiped them away quickly , unaware that , for the first time in five years , Elaines eyes twitched just the slightest movement Once she had composed herself , Lauren stood up .
Elaine , you have to wake up soon .
Ill come back to see you She had barely stepped out of the hospital room when she froze .
A pair of piercing , ice cold eyes locked onto hers .
The man standing before her was dressed in a sleek black suit , his tall frame exuding an overpowering presence .
His sharp , chiseled features carried an almost ruthless precision high cheekbones , a strong jawline , and deep set eyes that seemed to pull everything into their depths .
His thick , arched brows angled slightly , sharpening the tensity of his gaze ) Beneath his straight , well defined nose , his lips were set in a firm , unreadable line .
His clenched jaw and rigid posture exuded an air of dominance cold , commanding , and impossible to ignore .
One look just one and Laurens body betrayed her .
Her hands went cold .
Her knees weakened .
Every muscle in her body tensed , locked in place by sheer terror .
Her heart pounded against her chest , each beat hard and unsteady .
Her breathing turned quick and shallow , struggling to keep up .
Kenneth took a slow , deliberate step forward , radiating an overwhelming sense of control like a predator closing in on its prey .
Lauren instinctively stepped back .
One step Another Then bang Her back hit the hospital room door , the dull thud echoing in the silent corridor .
His eyes locked onto her , making Lauren feel like prey caught in a predators sights trapped , helpless , and with nowhere to 4- 240 PM M Chapter 19 Kenneth Forces Her to Apologize With nowhere left to run , Lauren was forced back into the hospital room .
Finished His towering figure loomed over her , his presence suffocating .
The air in the room grew thick , almost frozen : the only sound breaking the silence was the ragged rise and fall of Laurens breath .
She stumbled backward until her legs hit the hospital bed .
There was nowhere left to go .
Mr.
Kenneth .
Kenneths brow twitched slightly .
His voice was deep and cold , dripping with authority Are you scared of me ? Lauren lowered her gaze , barely able to breathe , Scared ? How could I not be ! She had survived Bennett family cruelty .
She had endured humiliation , suffering , and injustice .
But him ? He had broken her in ways no one else could She had endured every one of his tactics in prison he knew exactly how to strip away her dignity , push her to the edge of Jagony , yet never let her die .
Instead , he left her barely clinging to life , trapped in a cycle of endless suffering She could still summon the strength to fight back when facing the Bennetts .
But against him ! Every last shred of courage disappeared , swallowed by the cold , paralyzing fear that gripped her entire body .
Her fingers twisted tightly into the fabric of her sleeves , her knuckles turning white .
Her breathing was erratic , her eyes wide with panic .
Her terror was written all over her face .
Mr.
Kenneth , Ive already spoken to Ms.
Elaine .
Can … can I leave now ? Laurens voice was unsteady , trembling with fear .
She didnt dare lift her head to meet Kenneths eyes , yet she could feel the suffocating chill radiating from him .
He tilted his head slightly , regarding her with the cold indifference of someone assessing something insignificant .
Spoken to her ? His lips curled into a chilling smirk .
Your father promised me youd drop to your knees before Elaine and apologize .
And youll keep going until I decide its enough .
Laurens face drained of color .
Her head snapped up in shock , but under the weight of his piercing gaze , she quickly lowered it again .
Memories of the humiliation and suffering she endured in prison flooded her mind .
The relentless torment , the days she wished for death just to escape , had conditioned her to instinctively fall at his feet and beg for mercy .
Kenneth took a step forward , his overwhelming presence pressing down on her .
Whats wrong ? Are you hesitating ? Or do you actually think five years in prison was enough to make up for what you did to Elaine ? Lauren trembled .
She wanted to run , but her legs felt rooted to the ground , too heavy to move .
She wanted to speak , to defend herself , but she knew it was pointless .
She knew he wouldnt listen .
He never had .
Five years ago , she had pleaded her innocence .
He hadnt believed a single word .
Instead , he had made sure she suffered- ensuring that every day behind bars was pure hell She feared him not just in her mind , but in her very soul .
Laurens knees slowly buckled until she dropped to the floor .
Tam guilty .
I how my head before Ms.
Elaine and beg for forgiveness .
Please , Mr.
Kenneth , have mercy on me .
With those words , she lowered her head hard .
Bang Her forehead slammed against the cold floor with a dull , heavy thud .
2:40 PM m Chapter 19 Kenneth Forces Her to Apologize Then again .
And again .
Each impact echoed through the room , each one heavier than the last Dignity ? She had given it up long ago just to survive .
Finished Kenneth watched in silence .
But the satisfaction he had expected never came .
Instead , a deep , unshakable irritation spread through him .
For years , he had wanted to see her like this broken , on her knees , begging .
Yet now that it was happening , there was no sense of victory , only an unshakable irritation gnawing at him .
Laurens forehead split open from the force of her bows , a thin stream of blood trickling down her face .
Drop by drop , it fell onto the pristine white floor , blooming into a stark , crimson stain .
Yet she didnt stop .
Didnt even flinch .
She kept going , her movements mechanical , her voice raw as she repeated the same words .
Tm guilty .
I was wrong .
Please , Mr.
Kenneth , let me go Each word left her lips in sync with the dull , heavy thud of her forehead striking the floor .
Kenneths fists clenched at his sides , the storm in his eyes raging He didnt notice that as Lauren kept bowing and pleading , Elaines eyes flickered beneath her closed lids .
A single tear slid down her cheek , vanishing into the pillow Send Gifts