+13 Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Tears welled up in Lauras 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 youve done ? Youve poisoned Ari against her own father ! What kind of mother lets that happen ? You dont deserve to be a mother ! Laura didnt bother responding to Sofias 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 , Whats in this house is part of this house . Its ours now . Im not giving them back . What are you going to do about it ? Lauras 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 Ill go to your room and get them myself . Sofias 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 cant even control her , huh ? Matteos 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 , dont worry . Mommys okay . Arianna broke free from Sofias grasp and tried to run up the stairs , but Sofia blocked her path and threatened . Stay out of it , Arianna . Your mothers getting what she deserves . Let me go ! I gotta help Mommy ! Ill protect her ! Arianna cried , wriggling against Sofias grip . Sofia glared at Arianna , her voice cold and harsh . Your mothers 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 ! Youre 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 ! With that , Sofia locked the door and walked away . She crept to Matteo and Lauras bedroom , pressing her ear to the door to eavesdrop . Inside , Matteos voice was like ice . Laura , I work hard and raise you , and now you think you can stand up to my mom ? Youve really gotten bold . Matteo ripped off his tie and glared at Laura . You need to learn what respect means . I must teach you a good lesson . He grabbed her hair and yanked her down , throwing her to the floor . His fists and kicks came hard and fast , anger fueling every blow . Laura wasnt strong enough to fight back . All she could do was curl into a ball , using her arms to shield her head as best she could . 1/3 10:03 Chapter 29 She bit her lip so hard that it nearly Merd , and the did her best to corallone ber cries . She didnt want Arianna to hear her screams . Tears streamed down her face , silent but unstoppable Eventually , 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 beat you twice as hand . Got it ? Laura lay motionless on the floor , her body aching from head to toe . She didnt have any strength to respond to Matteos warning Stop pretending Matteo sneered , kicking her one last time . He then ordered , Tm hungry . Go make dinner for me . Laura couldnt even move her fingers at all . Each struggle to stand up made her feel like her bones were falling apart . After venting his anger , Matteo left the room without waiting for a reply . Downstairs , 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 , come on and drink some soup , Matteo sat down and grabbed the bowl Sofia passed to him . As he ate , Sofia beamed . You handled her perfectly , son . Women cant be spoiled . If she doesnt listen , you have to put her in her place . Trust me , a few beatings , and shell behave . Without you , she wouldnt even survive . Upstairs , Laura lay on the floor for a long time , her body trembling with pain . Through the ringing in her ears , she thought she heard Ariannas cries . Slowly , painfully , she forced herself to her feet and staggered toward her daughters room . She turned the lock and pushed the door open . Ariannas tear streaked face lit up when she saw Laura Arianna cried , running toward her . Mommy ! Laura tried to catch Arianna , but her strength gave out , and they both tumbled to the floor . Mommy , are you okay ? Arianna asked , her small hands holding onto Lauras shoulders for support . Im fine , sweetheart . Mommys fine . Laura pulled her daughter close , gazing into her innocent face. Ariannas big eyes studied Lauras bruised forehead , and her expression twisted with worry . Mommy , does it hurt ? I can make it better . Let me blow on it . She leaned in , her tiny lips puffing out gentle breaths onto Lauras forehead . Mommy , it wont hurt anymore . See ? Just like magic . Laura gave Arianna a soft smile , her heart aching and warm all at once . She wrapped Arianna in a tender embrace and replied , It doesnt hurt anymore . Thank you , Ari In the darkness of her life with the Webb family , Arianna was Lauras only source of light . Mommy , Arianna said firmly , Ill eat properly and grow up to be strong . Then I can protect you . Lauras eyes stung with fresh tears . Good girl . I love you , Mommy . Mommy loves you too . Meanwhile , Doris was on the subway , her thoughts swirling with everything she had witnessed . Sofias cruel behavior toward Laura weighed heavily on her heart . She couldnt stop wondering how she could truly help her sister . When she finally got home , the apartment was dark . Lewis wasnt back yet , yet her stomach was growling . Giving in to 2/3 Chapter 29 hunger she made herself a quick hot dog and scaffed in down . Just as she finished . Lewis werktesh in . Be took a seat on one of the bar stools , his face calm but curious . You went to see Laura Howe is she ? Shes not okay . Not even close , Doris said with a heavy sigh . I dated Ryan for three years , and then he went behind my buck and got engaged to someone else . Maneo promised to wet Laura lie queen , but now look at her she quit her job to focus on the family , and all she gets in return is disrespect . Manees mother treats her like garbage , throwing insults like shes nothing . Dont even get me started on my dad . He never respected my mom , not once . His word was law , no matter how unfair it Honesty , what do women even get out of marriage ? Its like poison no , worse , its toxic waste ! I swear , all I want now is to work hard , make a million dollars , and retire early Lewis could tell Doris had been deeply angered . He leaned forward to ask in a gentle voice , Does Laura need my help ? If shes being mistreated . Im here for her . Im your husband now , so shes family . If someones giving her trouble , we must stand up for ben . Doris bunked at him , momentarily taken aback . She knew Lewis had no obligation to involve himself in her sisters mess , yet he offered his support without hesitation . She felt a flicker of gratitude for his sense of responsibility . Laura and Mameo need to figure it out themselves . Its their business , anyway , she finally replied . Marriage is complicated . Even as her sister , I cant just step in . She sighed . Tm tired . Ill head to bed . At least I can get a day off tomorrow . Doris had barely started enjoying her long awaited chance to sleep in , yet a loud , urgent knock shattered her peace early the next morning . She groaned , fumbled for her phone , and found it was only 8 a.m. Coming , she replied groggily while shuffling toward the door . When she opened it , something furry and fast launched itself at her , clinging to her pants . Doris let out a startled scream , nearly falling over . Oh my ! What the- ? You again ?! She looked down to see that familiar corgi gnawing at her pants . Biscuit , come here . Lewiss voice called from the hallway . He stood in the doorway to the bedroom , gesturing at the little dog Biscuit immediately let go of Doris and trotted over to Lewis , wagging his tail like hed just found his best friend . He rubbed his head against Lewiss leg , clearly very pleased with himself . Lewis crouched down , scratching Biscuit behind the ears . Good boy . You know shes not a dog person . Dont scare her . As soon as Biscuit left her room , Doris slammed the door shut , leaving only a tiny crack open . She peeked out and asked , Why is he even here ?? Las 3/3 Comment scuit w ne nigl 田 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!