Flames of love and war

Lauren's POV“I’ll be blunt, Miss Lauren. Your mother’s condition is very serious. We have done everything we can, but the situation is delicate. It’s a matter of whether she’ll survive the night.”My heart dropped. The words were hopeless, but I ignored them. “What does that mean? Please, is there anything you can do? Any surgery? A treatment?”My mother's frail hand was firmly clutched in mine as I sat in her hospital room. The beeping of the machine and the antiseptic smell made me nauseous.The doctor paused, his fingers tapping on his clipboard. “There is something we can try, but…” He trailed off, clearly hesitant. “It’s a rare procedure. Expensive. And honestly, it’s… it’s a risk. But if you want to give her a chance, you’ll have to pay upfront. The cost is...”I leaned forward, my grip on my mother's hand tightening.“How much?” I asked, impatiently interrupting him. “Please tell me, I need to know.”His gaze shifted toward the papers in front of him. “Five hundred thousand do

Lauren's POV“Get the doctor ready!” a deep voice commanded, nothing more than a groggy sound to my sore ears as I struggled to wake up.Coldness like nothing I had ever known controlled my body from head to toe, and it was not just cold, I was soaking wet too. Every inch of my body was hurting. Even my eyelids ached as I pulled them apart.“Finally awake,” the deep voice drawled.I lifted my head using more strength than I thought I would. I was still in my clothes coming from the hospital but my pants were ripped at the knee, and there was a pain in my ribs as I took a sharp breath.Flashes of memories attacked me quickly. The gunshot, my father’s lifeless body. The men who had injected me ... How was I still alive?“You seem lost in thoughts.” The deep voice mumbled, reminding me that I wasn't alone. I turned my head sharply, my eyes locking onto the source. A man sat in a high-backed chair beside me. His posture was lazy and his aura was commanding. I could only make out his glow

Lauren's POVThe dress he had sent for me fit perfectly–a floor-length ruby gown that shimmered with every movement. It felt expensive, regal even, but it wasn’t enough to settle the unease brewing in my stomach.I had spent the last few hours getting prepared for whatever new humiliation or test awaited me. I had learnt that Kelvin Aldoracco wasn’t a man who did anything without purpose. Tonight was not going to be an exception.I tugged the silk gloves higher up my arms, glancing at the enormous estate through the car window. Lights spilled from every window, and music buzzed faintly as I approached. The driver opened the door for me, and I stepped out, immediately feeling like I had stepped into a lion's den.I pretended not to notice the stares. Whether they were admiring my dress or assessing how out of place I looked, I couldn’t tell.“Lauren?”The voice froze me in my tracks.I turned and immediately locked eyes with the two people I least wanted to see—my Stepmother, Clarissa

Laura's POVI had no idea I had fainted until when I opened my eyes hours later in a strange room. It wasn't one bit what I expected. From the painful knee jerking experience I had, I expected blood and gore all over…or maybe, I expected that I was already dead and buried.So imagine my surprise when I found myself alive, hale and hearty with a wholesome spread of breakfast before me. I could only celebrate for surviving the night.Hunger gnawed at my stomach, and I wasn’t about to deny it. Without a second thought, I reached for the bread, tearing off a generous piece and stuffing it into my mouth. The soft, buttery warmth melted on my tongue, and I barely stifled a moan of satisfaction. I didn’t care how disheveled I looked. My dress was wrinkled, my hair was a tangled mess, and my face probably looked like I had crawled out of a nightmare. But none of that mattered right now. Not when there was food in front of me. With each bite, I ignored the quiet rustle of fabric as the mai

Lauren's POV“I'm so happy the surgery was a success, Mom. Even though I'd have preferred to be right here by your side.” I said, snuggling into her.“I'm just glad it's over with. You didn't deserve to see me in so much pain and I'm grateful for the gift of you.” She smiled up at me, grabbing both of my hands in hers.“That's what family does, Mom. And I'll do it over again if I had to.” I said, raising her hands to my lips.“Mrs Aldoracco, it's time for her medication and rest. I think it'd be best for you to come by tomorrow. I assure you, she's under the best of care here.” the nurse said, walking into the room with a dish containing her medication.“Come by tomorrow, Lauren. I'll be fine until then.” Mom beamed weakly.She really needed her rest. I kissed her forehead and squeezed her hands in mine. “I'll be back tomorrow, Mom.”“I love you so much.” She said, squeezing back.I stepped out into the reception in high spirit, taking no notice of Marissa and the nurse shaking nervou