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!”

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

to my mom? You’ve really

her to the floor. His fists and kicks came hard and fast,

back. All she could do was curl into a ball, using her arms to

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Chapter 29

ber cries. She didn’t want Arianna to hear her screams. Tears

tired. He stood over her parting “Listen, Laura, from now on, show my mom the respect the deserves. If

lay motionless on the floor, her body aching from head to toe. She didn’t have any

warning

her one last time. He then ordered, Tm hungry.

struggle to stand up made her

his anger, Matteo left the

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

and grabbed the bowl Sofia passed

listen, you have to put her in her place. Trust me, a few beatings, and she’ll behave. Without you, she

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 feet and staggered toward her daughter’s room.

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

to catch Arianna, but her strength gave out, and they both

Arianna asked, her small hands holding

fine. Laura pulled her daughter close, gazing into her innocent face.

expression twisted with worry. “Mommy, does it hurt? I can make it better. Let me blow on it.”

out gentle breaths onto Laura’s forehead.

heart aching and warm all at once. She wrapped Arianna in

life with the Webb family, Arianna

said firmly, “I’ll eat properly and grow up to be strong.

eyes stung with fresh

you,

you too.”

her thoughts swirling with everything she had witnessed. Sofia’s cruel behavior toward Laura weighed heavily on her heart. She

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

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Chapter 29

quick hot dog and scaffed in

Be took a seat on one of the bar stools, his face