Chapter 104
Laura was burning with anxiety to see Arianna.
Doris hailed a taxi and accompanied Laura all the way, holding her cold hand in the car.
“Laura, it’s going to be okay. Doris comforted Laura.
This was a difficult time in Laura’s life, and what she needed was the strength and support of her family.
“Yeah.” Laura lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes, as she tried hard not to cry.
She forced a smile, not wanting Doris to worry about her.
Doris pulled Laura close, letting her lean on her shoulder. “Laura, you don’t have to pretend or be strong in front of me.”
Laura closed her eyes and nodded on Doris‘ shoulder.
They soon arrived at the Webb family’s house in Tanglewood Oaks.
Doris went up to knock on the door. After a while, a middle–aged, slightly plump woman opened the door.
She looked suspiciously at Doris and Laura. “Who are you?”
“Who are you?” Doris hadn’t seen this woman before and thought they might have the wrong house, but she checked the house number and it was correct; it was the Webb family’s house.
“I’m the nanny. Who are you looking for?” The middle–aged woman glanced at them again.
Laura had been kicked out of the Webb family last night, and they had already hired a new nanny this morning. The efficiency was impressive.
“I’m looking for Arianna,” Laura said.
“Why are adults looking for a child?” The nanny was on guard, as if the Reed sisters were bad people.
“I’m Matteo’s wife, and Ari is my daughter. Can you let me in? I want to see Ari,” Laura pleaded.
“What’s
“Laura.”
your name?”
The nanny looked troubled and refused. “No.”
“Why?” Doris retorted.
“The owner of the house said not to let anyone named Laura in,” the nanny told the truth.
Doris was furious. “Why can’t my sister see her own daughter? What law says a mother can’t see her child?”
“This… this is the owner’s decision. I’m just an employee; I can’t make decisions. Please leave and don’t make things difficult for me,” the nanny said nervously, afraid they might cause trouble.
“Forget it, Doris. Don’t make it hard for her.” Laura, who had been in a tough spot with the Webb family, empathized with the nanny.
“The Webb family has treated you so badly; they’re really awful. I can’t stand this.” Doris felt indignant for Laura. “I won’t make it hard for her, but today I must stand up for you.”
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Chapter 104
“Doris, what are you going to do?” Laura was worried.
Doris raised her voice and shouted into the house. “Ari, can you hear me? Doris is here to see you. Ari
Doris wanted to make a scene to force the Welty family to come out.
Sure enough, Sofia, annoyed and with a dark face, came out.
She was furious when she saw Doris and Laura and said arrogantly, “What’s all this noise? You have no manners
“If we’re talking about manners, kicking my sister out of the house and not letting her see her own daughter before she’s even divorced is much worse. We’re just small potatoes compared to you. Doris coldly mocked Sofia, her eyes sharp. “With people like you, there’s no need to talk about manners.”
Sofia, provoked, disliked Doris even more. “Your sister didn’t want this family, we’re just helping her out?
“Did my sister not want it, or were you forcing her to give up? Don’t you know in your heart?” Doris stood up for Laura. “You’ve never respected her since she married into the Webb family.
“After she gave birth to Ari, you favored boys over girls and never gave her a good day, letting her be scolded and beaten.
“She’s been patient and respectful to you as her mother–in–law, not arguing, but I, Doris, don’t have such a good temper. If anyone bullies my sister, I won’t let them off easy.”
“Hah, you? That’s a good joke.” Sofia looked down on the Reed family, thinking they were no match for the Webb family.
“The one who laughs last laughs best,” Doris said firmly, stating her purpose. “We want to see Ari.”
“Matteo said no one from the Reed family is to see Ari,” Sofia deliberately glanced at Laura’s pale face. “Our Ari won’t have a certain someone as her mother anymore. She’ll have a new mom soon.”
Laura’s heart trembled. She felt Matteo was cutting off her path, taking her life away.
Laura opened her mouth to speak, but Doris grabbed her hand and replied boldly, “Whether my sister is Ari’s mother isn’t for you to decide. Bring Ari out and let her say it herself.”
“Ari belongs to the Webb family; don’t even think about it,” Sofia said forcefully. She didn’t dare to bring Arianna out; the child had been raised by Laura and was deeply attached to her. If she came out, she would definitely choose Laura.
“You’re scared, aren’t you?” asked Doris.
“I can’t be bothered with you. Close the door,” Sofia ordered the
nanny.
Laura rushed forward, using both hands to hold the door open. “I won’t leave until I see Ari.”
n
At that moment, a small figure rushed out from the crack of the door. Doris looked closely; it was Arianna. “Ari…”
“Mom, Doris.” Arianna’s lips trembled, her eyes red, looking as pitiful as a lost puppy.
“Ari.” Laura’s eyes filled with tears the moment she saw her daughter.
She hugged Arianna tightly, as if trying to merge her into her body, afraid she might disappear from her arms at any
moment.
Arianna also hugged Laura with her short arms, her voice soft and tearful. “Mom, I missed you so much.”
“Mom missed you too,” Laura felt immensely relieved.
Even though they had only been apart for one night, it felt like they hadn’t seen each other for a long time, filled with
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longing for each other.
“Ari, come here,” Sofia said with a dark face
“No,” Arianna shook her head and hugged Laura even tighter. “Mom, I don’t want to be apart from you. I want to be with you.”
“We won’t be apart. Laura repeated.
“Ari, be good, or I’ll tell your dad, and he’ll punish you severely Sofia threatened Arianna.
Arianna thought of the strict Matteo, and fear appeared in her big, watery eyes. But this fear wasn’t enough to make her give up her beloved mother.
Doris stood in front of Laura and Arianna, protecting them. “No one can separate Ari from my sister. I, Doris, won’t allow it.”
“Arianna, if you don’t come home, you can forget about coming back to this house ever again,” Sofia said harshly.
“This place isn’t home,” Laura said sarcastically, and then asked Arianna, “Ari, do you want to be with Mom from now on?”
“Of course, I want to. I want to stay with Mom and have Mom stay with me too,” Arianna said with a serious expression.
“Alright then, let’s go; let’s leave this place,” Laura said as she picked up Arianna.
Doris stood at the door, blocking the members of the Webb family, and only turned to leave after Laura and Arianna had gone far.
Chloe happened to see this scene as she walked over. “Mom, Ari… you just let them go like that?”
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