Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Sophia's heart quivered in the face of Lauren's painful accusations.

She hated Jasper, but she admitted that he was good to Lauren, better than she'd ever treated Lauren.

Thinking back, Jasper didn't seem as despicable as he had seemed. Too bad there could only be one Mrs. Beckett. Javier had made Anne her rival.

After a pause, she finally confessed, "I... I was pregnant with Betty at that time. All I wanted was a recognition to give her a better life and future."

"Well, you got your recognition, didn't you? Dad acknowledged you, so you had achieved your goal. Why did you have to kill Jasper's mom?

"Jasper never hated me or treated me badly even though I'm your daughter. He and Alyssa treat me like their sister. They show me love and care that I would otherwise never have the chance to experience. I owe them a lot. How could you be so cruel to him?"

Lauren was no fool. She understood that Sophia was a selfish woman, and she knew how coldly Sophia had treated her. For that, she had grappled with self-blame and low self-esteem.

She despised herself for not being as healthy as Betty. She even blamed herself for not being a son, thinking that Newton might acknowledge Sophia if that was the case.

Lauren thought that if she was male, Sophia might not need to tread carefully in the family and worry about consolidating her power or faking and scheming her way to a better life.

She had never thought that Sophia would kill for personal gain.

is built on others' death, I would rather never have been born. I'd rather not be

her fists tightly and

and held her tight. He rested his chin on her head and gently coaxed her,

her teeth. She finally stabilized from a near-breakdown when she leaned in

did not blink at all. She wore a dim and remorseful expression as tears rolled down her cheeks.

industry. There, I poured in all my effort to climb up the ranks, all because I couldn't stand a poor life anymore." "Did you know how Jasper's mom suffered?" Landon was

was weak. Jasper was only five when he had to support himself

her back to the Beckett family, and even if he had you as a mistress, she never thought of fighting you for the title of Mrs. Beckett. You were the selfish and greedy one, killing an innocent woman just

Kirkman, I know you're Lauren's mom, but I need to say this aloud—you deserve the death

feelings of pain and resentment. She choked on her tears as she struggled

to say anything. I'll pay for the crimes I committed and for Anne's death." Sophia's tear-streaked face was nearly pressing

stared at Lauren with widened eyes. "Lauren, this is all my fault. You have nothing

young. Besides, Landon loves you so

you'll treat Lauren well,

grip on Lauren's shoulder. He fixed a determined gaze on Sophia. "I will marry no

a few pieces of halcyon gemstones that I keep in my bedside safe. The password is 0814. Take them with

she married into the Beckett family. She had been proud of