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!”

away. She crept to Matteo and Laura’s

ice. “Laura, I work hard and raise you, and now you think you can stand up to my mom? You’ve really gotten bold.” Matteo ripped off his tie and glared at Laura. “You need

to the floor. His

could do was curl into

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Chapter 29

did her best to corallone ber cries. She didn’t want Arianna to

show my mom the respect the deserves. If I catch

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

warning

sneered, kicking her one last time. He then

stand up made her feel like her bones were falling

Matteo left the room without

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. Once Sofia saw her son walking down, the immediately said, “Matteo,

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

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

lay on the floor for a long time, her body trembling with pain. Through the ringing in her ears, she

pushed the door open. Arianna’s tear–streaked face lit up when she saw Laura Arianna cried, running toward

Arianna, but her strength gave out, and they both tumbled to the floor.

okay?” Arianna asked, her small hands holding

her daughter close, gazing into her

twisted with worry. “Mommy,

tiny lips puffing out gentle breaths onto Laura’s forehead.

all at once. She wrapped Arianna in a tender embrace and replied,

her life with the Webb family, Arianna was Laura’s only source of

firmly, “I’ll eat properly and grow up

stung with fresh tears. “Good

you,

you

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

got home, the apartment was dark. Lewis wasn’t back

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Chapter 29

she made herself a quick hot dog

as she finished. Lewis werktesh in. Be took a seat on one of the bar stools, his face calm but curious.