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!”

crept to Matteo and Laura’s bedroom, pressing her ear to the

my mom? You’ve really gotten bold.” Matteo ripped off his tie and glared at Laura. “You need to learn

down, throwing her to the floor.

wasn’t strong enough to fight back. All she could do was curl into

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Chapter 29

lip so hard that it nearly Merd, and the did her best to corallone ber cries. She didn’t want Arianna to

from now on, show my mom the respect the deserves. If I catch you acting up

head to toe. She didn’t have any strength

warning

sneered, kicking her one last time. He then ordered, Tm hungry. Go make dinner

her fingers at all. Each struggle to stand up made her feel like

venting his anger, Matteo left the room without waiting

dining table with a smug smile on her face. She had set out the chicken soup Laura had prepared earlier. Once Sofia saw her son walking down, the immediately

sat down and grabbed the bowl Sofia passed to him. As he

listen, you have to put her

Through the ringing in her ears,

tear–streaked face lit up when she saw Laura Arianna cried, running toward her.

to catch Arianna, but her strength gave

okay?” Arianna asked, her small hands holding onto Laura’s shoulders for support.

fine, sweetheart. Mommy’s fine. Laura pulled her daughter close,

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

leaned in, her tiny lips puffing out gentle breaths onto Laura’s forehead. “Mommy,

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

Webb family, Arianna was Laura’s only

eat properly and grow up to

fresh tears.

you,

loves you too.”

everything she had witnessed. Sofia’s cruel behavior toward Laura weighed heavily on her heart. She couldn’t stop

she finally got home, the apartment was dark. Lewis wasn’t back yet, yet her stomach was growling. Giving in

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Chapter 29

herself a quick hot dog and scaffed

one of the bar stools, his face calm but curious. “You went to see