Rising from the Ashes BY Only For You Novel

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Chapter 906

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

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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

Tloved 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 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.

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"Dad? What are you doing here?"

Arefined-looking middle-aged man walked inside, his face

showing clear signs of exhaustion. Despite the weariness in his

expression, there was no mistaking his 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.

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