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.

I would rather never have been born. I'd rather not be a Beckett!" Lauren

and

Landon panicked at Lauren's emotional outburst and held her tight. He rested his chin on her head and gently

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

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

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

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

she never thought of fighting you for the title

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

pain and resentment. She choked

say anything. I'll pay for the crimes I committed and

is all my fault. You have nothing to do with it. So, please don't do anything

so much. You will have a bright,

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

He fixed a determined gaze on Sophia. "I will marry no one but Lauren

a few pieces of halcyon gemstones that I keep

She had been proud