Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Tiana sneered. "You need to understand something. You're still young, and the love you speak of is small, insignificant, and ultimately meaningless. When you're faced with overwhelming power and forces beyond your control, you'll realize that Andrew is nothing more than a speck of dust in the vast tide of the world.

"Your future isn't meant to revolve around him-it's the stage the Driscoll family has built for you. Your place is in Blumedale and eventually, all of southern Holtrien."

Lauren lifted her delicate face, her long hair partially covering her stubborn, defiant eyes. “So, in your world, miracles don't exist anymore, and genuine love means nothing, right?

"Just like when you were young, forced to marry Dad and join the Rhodes family against your will. You never really loved him, did you? There was someone else in your heart. But because of your family pressure, you had no choice.

"And now, you want to repeat the same tragedy with your own daughter. Is that it, Tiana?"

The overwhelming anger and heartbreak pushed Lauren past her breaking point. She could not hold back anymore, calling Tiana by her name for the first time.

Tears welled in her eyes, rolling down her cheeks. It was the kind of tears that came from deep, unwavering love- and bone-deep hatred.

Tiana's face twisted in disbelief as her jaw clenched. "What did you just say? Say that again!"

She raised her hand, ready to slap Lauren across the face. However, Lauren did not flinch. Instead, she stepped forward, offering her cheek to Tiana's palm.

"Go ahead. Hit me as much as you want. After all, you already slapped me once for Michael. Our mother-daughter bond was broken that day. If you want to hit me again, then do it-I won't stop you."

Tiana's heart clenched violently as she took in the sight of her daughter's fierce yet tear-streaked face. "Y-You actually hate me this much because of Andrew? Is he really worth it? Enough for you to love him so deeply? Enough for you to resent your own mother?"

Tiana's hand remained frozen in the air, unable to come down. She stumbled back a step, her breath unsteady as she stared at her daughter, pain tightening in her chest.

Lauren let out a bitter laugh. "I used to love my mother more than I loved myself. But now, I don't have a mother anymore-because the one I knew has become a stranger, someone I can't even recognize."

Tiana took a deep breath, letting out

a cold, mirthless chuckle of her own. "Fine. You hate me? Then I might as You ha well tell you the truth. You should know exactly what kind of situation

your father and I are facing right now."

Just then, a deep, urgent voice came from outside. "Tiana, don't!"

Lauren and Tiana turned their heads at the same time.

"Dad? What are you doing here?"

A refined-looking middle-aged man walked inside, his face showing clear signs of exhaustion. Despite the weariness in his expression, there was no mistaking his

f.n

vef

charm-he was still a strikingly

handsome man.

He was the kind of man who could still make women swoon, even if he was already reaching his 50s. This man was none other than Jameson, the current head of the Rhodes family.noveldrama

"I came to check on you and your mother," Jameson said, letting out a deep sigh as he pulled Lauren into an embrace. "Lauren, don't resent your mother. She has her reasons for everything she's done."

Lauren let out a quiet sob. "Dad, why can't I decide my own fate? All I want is to

be with Dr. Lloyd. Why is that too much to ask?"