Chapter 27
The moment I opened the door, Amanda stood there, fuming with rage. I tiles with ven
crnom, locked into me like she wanted to burn me alive.
Her face twisted in anger, making her look almost terrifying. Her eyes,
Just as Amanda raised her hand to slap me, I grabbed her wrist tiglutly with my injured hand,
Ananda let out a sharp yelp, but that didn’t stop her from huurling insults “Taurel, do you have no manners at all? How dare you lay hands on your elder? First, you try to kill Rosemary, and now you’re coming after me? You filthy bitch, do you even know your place
“Bach. Then what does that make you! An old lag!” My voice was eerily callin as In
Linet her furious gaze. My grip on her wrist didn’t loosen.
Amnambios expression twosted in
like she’d just seen a glinst.
Got simprising. For six years, I’d played the role of the obedient, well–mannered girl in front of her–maybe even a little timid. She never expected to see this side of me.
You are talk back to me? And call me names?” Amanida shricked. I’ll never let Austin marry you. You can go ahead and watch your mother die from the stress you’ve caused her!”
“You came here singing at ine, and I was just supposed to stand there and take it?” [ scoffed. “Austin and I broke up. My mom’s well–being is none of your convertt, but one thing’s for sure–you’re definitely going to die before me.”
Our argument had gotten so loud that the neighbors started peeking out of their doors. This wasn’t a new building, so people here were naturally
At the same time, I let go of Amanda’s arm, and she staggered backward, dramatically falling to the floor. “She pushed me! You all saw it she
I stared at her, genuinely dumbfounded. “You were the one who tried to hit me first. There’s a security camera right above my door. And with my injured hand already bleeding, do you really think I could’ve pushed you that hard!”
Amanda froze for a second, clearly not expecting me to fight back like this.
Failing to pin the blame on me. Amanda grew desperate. “Laurel, are you really not going to stop until Rosemary is dead! Why can’t you just leave her alone!
“You wanted to move out with Austin, but Rosemary stayed behind to take care of his parents. And instead of being grateful, you’re setting her up Spreading lies about her? If anything happens to her, I’ll make sure you pay
for it
“She’s been taking care of you? Are you sure you want someone like her around? What if she decides to slip something into your food one day! I mean, I wouldn’t take that risk if I were you” I smiled, watching as Amanda’s expression shifted from anger to hesitation.
Then, as if snapping back to her senses, Amanda scowled. You are so incredibly disrespectful. I should never have let Austin be with you in the frit place.
“You’re a curse. You killed your dad, and now your mom’s in the hospital because of you. And now you’re coming after us?”
“Wait, if I were really a curse, shouldn’t you be dead by now?” I crossed my arms and tiled my head. “Maybe you should get yourself checked. You wouldn’t want to drop dead at my doorstep, would you! I’m broke I can’t afford a lawsuit”
Amanda’s face turned bright red. She was so furious that she couldn’t even form a response.
Just then, the elevator dinged, and Austin stepped out, Amanda’s whole demeanor shifted instantly.
“Austint She–she said she wants me dead!” Amanda sobbed dramatically
One of the neighbors chimed in, unimpressed, “Hey, kid, your mom called Laurel a curse and blamed her for killing her own family. Her mom still in the hospital, you know?”
Austin’s gaze flickered toward me. His expression was unreadable, but I caught the slight hesitation in his eyes. He said, “No matter what, she’s still my mother. You shouldn’t have treated her this way.”
A sharp pang hit my chest. My eyes turned cold as I stared at him. No one knew better than Austin just how much my mom meant to me
no matter how
My mom had given me everything. She never hit me.
enever yelled at me. She always made sure I had the best of everything, no was for her. So in my heart, she was the most important person in this world to ine
“She’s your
mother. Not mine. I forced a smile. “And in the six years I was with you, did I ever treat her badly! She ordered me around like servant. No matter how busy I was with work, the moment she called, I had to drop everything and run to her.
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3.38 PM.
Chapter 27
Amanda serred. “Oh, please! You think that’s suffering? Don’t forget, you were living off my son. The money you made was nothing. Do you really think you could’ve supported yourself?
“If it weren’t for your obedience, would you, with your
ur status, be able to marry listo our family? What does it matter if you’re pretty? It’s not like beauty can be spent as money, right?”
“But for six years, every penny I spent was my own. What about your son? What about you?” I shot back.
Austin’s jaw clenched. “Laurel, that’s enough.”
I let out a soft laugh. “That’s enough? Austin, do you remember what I gave up for you! I turned down my dream school. I left my mom alone in Nifelheim City. Every single holiday, your family comes first. Did you ever think about what that was like for me?”
Amanda scoffed. “Oh, please.
Like you didn’t do all that just
to marry
into our family?”
“Is that how you see it, Austin?” I looked him straight in the eye. My vision blurred slightly, but I refused to let the tears fall
I’m done with this. Get out of my house.” I reached for the door, but Amanda shoved her foot in the way.
Amanda continued, “Not until you apologize. To me and to Rosemary. I want a public statement. A press conference where you clear our family’s name. Otherwise, I’m not leaving.”
I held Austin’s
gaze, my lips
lips curling
ling into a smirk. So this was their endgame. They wanted to dump all the blame on me.
“You want me to go on record, and admit that I was jealous, that I cheated on Austin, and that after realizing my mistake, I decided to call off the engagement?” I replied.
Amanda’s face lit up with satisfaction. “Exactly. If you do that, maybe I’ll even reconsider letting you be with Austin again. But if you don’t, you better prepare yourself. You know what happens to people who cross the Herrera family”
I gave a slow nod, a smile playing on my lips.
Amanda took my silence as agreement and turned to Austin excitedly. “Call the press. We’ll hold the conference this afternoon.
I looked at Austin, amusement flickering in my eyes. “Make sure to invite your uncle too.
