One year, one love by Aurora Miller

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Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Tears welled up in Laura’s eyes, but instead of breaking down, she let out a hollow laugh. The sound was bitter, full of disappointment.

“Waaaah!” Arianna burst into tears, her tiny voice trembling with fear. “Bad Daddy! You hit Mommy! I hate Daddy!”

Sofia immediately pounced on the moment and scowled at Laura. “You see what you’ve done? You’ve poisoned Ari against her own father! What kind of mother lets that happen? You don’t deserve to be a mother!”

Laura didn’t bother responding to Sofia’s accusations. Her focus was elsewhere. “Sofia, can you give me back the things Doris bought for me?” she said firmly, her voice shaking slightly but holding its ground.

Sofia crossed her arms and sneered, “What’s in this house is part of this house. It’s ours now. I’m not giving them back. What are you going to do about it?”

Laura’s fists clenched at her sides, her knuckles turning white. She locked eyes with Sofia, refusing to back down.

Sensing the tension, Sofia taunted Laura further. “Oh, what? You wanna hit me, huh? Go ahead, Laura. Show everyone what kind of daughter–in–law you are.”

Laura straightened up and turned toward the stairs, saying, “Fine. Then I’ll go to your room and get them myself.”

Sofia’s jaw dropped in mock outrage, and she yelled, “Matteo, look at your so–called good wife! Does she even see me as your mother? You can’t even control her, huh?”

Matteo’s expression turned serious as he stormed after Laura. Grabbing her wrist roughly, he yanked her toward their

bedroom.

Arianna, watching the scene unfold, screamed, “Mommy! Mommy!”

Trying to stay calm for her daughter, Laura forced a smile through the pain. “Ari, don’t worry. Mommy’s okay.”

Arianna broke free from Sofia’s grasp and tried to run up the stairs, but Sofia blocked her path and threatened. “Stay out of it, Arianna. Your mother’s getting what she deserves.”

“Let me go! I gotta help Mommy! I’ll protect her!” Arianna cried, wriggling against Sofia’s grip.

Sofia glared at Arianna, her voice cold and harsh. “Your mother’s being punished for not listening. If you act like her, your father will punish you too.”

“You and Daddy are bad people! I hate you both!” Arianna sobbed, kicking and flailing.

“Ugh, stop crying! You’re so noisy,” Sofia shouted. She scooped up Arianna, carried her to her room, and dumped her on the bed. “Well, cry all you want. See if anyone cares!”

the door and walked away. She crept to Matteo and Laura’s bedroom, pressing her ear

you can stand up to my mom? You’ve really gotten bold.” Matteo ripped off his tie and glared at Laura. “You need to learn what respect means. I must

down, throwing her to the floor. His fists and kicks came hard and fast, anger fueling every blow.

into a ball, using her arms to shield her head as best she

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to corallone ber

Matteo grew tired. He stood over her parting “Listen, Laura, from now on, show my mom the respect the deserves. If I catch you acting up again, I

floor, her body aching from head to

warning

her one last time. He then ordered,

even move her fingers at all. Each struggle to stand up made

the room without waiting for a reply.

at the dining table with a smug smile on her face. She had set out the chicken soup Laura had prepared earlier. Once Sofia saw

grabbed the bowl Sofia passed to him. As he ate, Sofia

put her in her place. Trust

lay on the floor for a long time, her body trembling with pain. Through the ringing in her ears, she thought she heard Arianna’s cries. Slowly, painfully, she forced herself to her

lock and pushed the door open. Arianna’s tear–streaked face lit up when she saw Laura Arianna cried, running toward her. “Mommy!”

strength gave out, and they both tumbled

Arianna asked, her small hands holding onto

fine. Laura pulled her daughter

forehead, and her expression twisted with worry. “Mommy, does it hurt? I can make it better. Let me

leaned in, her tiny lips puffing out gentle breaths onto Laura’s forehead. “Mommy, it won’t hurt anymore. See? Just like

at once. She wrapped Arianna in a tender embrace and replied, “It doesn’t hurt anymore. Thank

the Webb family, Arianna was Laura’s only source

up

stung with fresh tears. “Good girl.”

love you, Mommy.”

loves you too.”

Doris was on the subway, her thoughts swirling with everything she had witnessed. Sofia’s cruel behavior toward Laura weighed heavily on her

dark. Lewis wasn’t back yet, yet her

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Chapter 29

she made herself a quick hot dog and

as she finished. Lewis werktesh in. Be took a seat on one of