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.

death, I would rather never have been born. I'd rather

clenched her fists tightly and trembled violently

rested his chin on her head and gently coaxed her, "Darling, we agreed not to be angry no matter how the conversation went, didn't we? It will only hurt you and affect

teeth. She finally stabilized from a near-breakdown

at all. She wore a dim and remorseful expression as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I

young. I'd been eating expired food and wearing old clothes. Because of that, I felt ashamed of myself. Later, I was scouted into the entertainment industry. There, I poured in all my effort to climb up the ranks, all because I couldn't stand a poor life

since she was weak. Jasper was only five when he had to support

to the Beckett family, and even if he had you as a mistress, she never thought of fighting you for the title

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

cry as she fought the feelings of pain and resentment. She choked on her

know it's too late for me 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 to do

so much. You will have a bright,

cast a worried glance at Landon. "Landon, you'll treat Lauren well, won't

grip on Lauren's shoulder. He fixed a determined gaze on Sophia. "I will

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

was the date she married into the Beckett family. She had been proud