Chapter 24 Its Just a Small Wound ; No Need to Make a Big Deal Out of It At the dining table , David , Alice , Elliot , and Willow were already seated .
Strangely , this time , none of them had started eating yet .
The moment Lauren walked out , Alice immediately got up and took her hand , her voice unusually warm .
Lauren , you must be hungry .
Come have breakfast .
Without waiting for her response , Alice pulled her toward the table .
David sat at the head of the table .
Elliot was to his right , Alice to his left , with Willow right beside her .
That left Lauren with two choices sit next to Elliot or next to Willow .
She disliked them both , but if she had to choose , shed rather sit by Elliot .
Without a word , she took the seat next to him and picked up a spoon , quietly eating the small wontons in front of her .
The Bennet familys eyes lingered on her , each expression different .
Davids face was dark with barely restrained anger , held back only by Alices insistence .
Alice looked hesitant , as if she wanted to remind Lauren to greet her elders before eating .
But remembering what happened Last night , she swallowed the words .
Willows gaze flickered with resentment before she forced a sweet smile .
Lauren , Marilyn made those wontons just for you .
Do you like them ? Her voice was soft , laced with an attempt to please ..
But Lauren acted as if she hadnt heard , not sparing Willow so much as a glance .
Elliot took a deep breath , clearly struggling to contain his temper .
His lips curled into a forced smirk .
Lauren , after breakfast , take off that bandage .
Youre not even injured .
Walking around with your head wrapped up like that , people might think we mistreated you .
Laurens hand paused midair .
Then , without a word ; she smirked faintly and continued eating as if nothing had happened .
She ate quickly finishing the bowl of wontons in a few bites After dabbing her mouth with a napkin , she finally looked up .
Im done .
Enjoy your meal .
Elliots patience snapped .
Lauren , who the hell do you think youre making that face at this early in the morning ? Lauren met his glare with cold indifference .
Her lack of reaction only fueled his anger .
He suddenly reached out , grabbing at the bandage on her forehead .
Lets see if youre really hurt , or if you just enjoy playing the victim .
The moment he yanked it off , pain shot through Laurens skull .
The barely healed wound was ripped open , and fresh blood immediately gushed down her face .
I knew you were faking- The words lodged in Elliots thro 173 Chapter 24 Its Just a Small Wound ; No Need to Make a Big Deal Out of it Alice gasped , eyes turning red with distress .
Lauren ! What happened to your forehead ? Finished Willows eyes flickered with satisfaction for a split second before she masked it with feigned concern .
Sis , are you okay ? Lauren didnt react to the pain .
She sat there motionless , her empty gaze clouded over , as if blood was all she could see .
Her eyes swept over the four people in front of her .
At that moment , they didnt look like family .
They looked like demons from hell , feeding on her suffering , crushing her dignity beneath their feet .
Well ? Happy now ? Her voice was hoarse not hysterical , not shouting .
But it was like a hammer , slamming straight into their chests .
David , however , didnt even frownL He simply scoffed , his tone indifferent .
Its just a small wound .
Youre not dying .
No need to make a big deal out of it A suffocating , dead silence .
Laurens grip on the table tightened , her fingers turning white For a second , it looked like she was about to flip it over again .
Davids expression changed .
Recalling how she had overturned the table before , he quickly pressed his hands against it , his eyes locked on her every move ..
Alice , Elliot , and Willow did the same , all instinctively holding down the table , fearing another outburst.
Alices hands trembled , her face tense with anxiety .
Lauren , calm down .
Your father didnt mean it like that .
He just he just thinks the injury isnt serious .
Hes just concerned about you .
Even she knew how unconvincing her own excuse sounded .
Lauren turned her gaze to Alice , her eyes piercing .
Alices face flushed under the weight of that stare .
She looked away , unable to meet Laurens eyes .
The tension in the dining room was unbearable .
Blood still dripped from Laurens forehead , splattering onto the table .
Bright red , striking , impossible to ignore just like the wounds they had carved into her soul .
Concern ? The word slipped through her clenched teeth Well then , sir , maam , I appreciate your concern .
With that , she turned on her heel and walked away , not giving them a chance to respond .
Elliot scowled , suddenly losing his appetite .
Mom , Dad , Im heading to the office .
With that , he stormed off .
Once inside his car , Elliots gaze dropped to the bloodstained bandage in his hand .
Finished Chapter 24 Its Just a Small Wound , No Need to Make a Big Deal Out of it A sharp , searing pain spread through his chest .
It tightened , making it hard to breathe .
He leaned back against the seat , images flashing through his mind- Lauren left the house yesterday morning , perfectly fine .
But by the time she came back , her forehead had been bandaged .
What had happened to her in those hours ? Has someone hurt her ? Lauren was his sister .
No matter what mistakes she had made , no one had the right to lay a hand on her .
His hands clenched into fists , then slowly loosened .
He picked up his phone and dialed a number .
Kenneth .
Elliots voice was sharp with anger .
Did you hit Lauren ? The man on the other end was eerily calm .
Is that why you called me ? Tm warning you whatever Lauren did , shes already paid for it .
Shes the eldest daughter of the Bennett family , not someone you can just hurt whenever you feel like it .
Beep Beep Beep .
Before he could finish , Kenneth hung up Elliot cursed , slamming his phone onto the passenger seat .
F * ck ! It took him a long time to calm down .
Finally , he let out a heavy breath and started the car , heading to work .
But no matter how hard he tried to focus , he couldnt shake the image of Laurens bloodied face .
His mind was a mess .
After barely an hour , he gave up , grabbed his phone , and called Marilyn .
Marilyn , hows Lauren ? Did ..
did she take care of her injury ? Send Gifts