From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 237

She’d already made her decision before she came to see Baily. As soon as they got the money from Baily and Laurinda, she would take Lawrence and leave Apex behind. She’d traveled all over before, had friends waiting for her in other countries, people who knew nothing about her messy past. She could make it work. She could build a new life somewhere else.

Lawrence was suddenly scared of Aggie. She reminded him so much of their mother, especially when she looked at him like that, with eyes full of nothing but hate. There was no warmth in her at all. No trace of family.

He didn’t dare go against her. He just did what she wanted, filming video after video together.

***

Laurinda barely left the hospital for the next few days. On the third day, Bonnie finally woke up. The second Laurinda saw her eyes open, she broke down in tears, clutching Bonnie’s hand, thanking her over and over for coming back, for not leaving her behind.

Bonnie still couldn’t speak, but when she saw Laurinda crying, her own silent tears slipped down her cheeks.

Adolphus, worried that the emotional reunion might be too much for them, spent a long time calming Laurinda down and persuading her to step out of the ICU for a while.

That evening, York swung by the hospital after work to check on Bonnie. He ran into Adolphus, who was just getting ready to leave.

York was carrying a gift box. He handed it over to Adolphus.

Adolphus peeked inside and saw it was a dress. “What’s this for?”

“It’s Laurinda’s. She wants to wear it to Raines’s birthday party next Friday. Can you give it to her? I won’t have time to see her myself. I’ve got to get back for a meeting after I visit Bonnie.”

“You’re not coming with us to Cabinda?”

The two of them sat down on a bench in the corridor, chatting like it was no big deal.

“I’m not going with you. Laurinda said you guys are heading out on Thursday. I’ll come on Friday morning. Got a few things to wrap up first.”

“Yeah, I heard,” Adolphus said, totally calm. “I was the one who handed her the chair.”

York stared at him, shocked. “You just let her do that?”

“What else could I do? She was furious. I wasn’t about to stand back and watch. Honestly, if she hadn’t had other plans for him, I would’ve tossed him in the ocean for the fish. Laurinda showed mercy by letting him live.”

Thinking about the way Fabian had cursed at Laurinda made Adolphus clench his jaw. He treated her like she was precious. No one had the right to insult her.

Anyone who did deserved to pay for it.

Adolphus flicked his lighter between his fingers, voice casual like they were just talking business. “There’s something else. I want to take Jasper with me to Cabinda. If he stays here, he’ll always be Laurinda’s soft spot. He’s not a kid anymore. It’s time he learned how to take care of himself.”