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Chapter 4 Mommy, Don't Be Mad at Lauren

Adeline stared at the little girl in front of her, totally stunned. Didn't Bennett say Lauren was napping in her room? How'd she end up here?

Before Adeline could even get mad, Lauren ran up and grabbed her pinky. "Hi, I'm Lauren."

Adeline looked down at Lauren, who was staring up at her with big, expectant eyes, and felt a headache coming on. She lowered her voice. "What are you doing here?"

Lauren blinked. "Mommy, I'll tell you later!"

Then she pretended to look around before nodding. "From now on, you're taking care of me!"

Ryan was thrilled to hear that. After just a few hours with Lauren, he'd been bending over backward to please her, but she wasn't budging. Now that a maid Lauren liked had shown up, he could finally relax.

Ryan cleared his throat. "You should go take care of Lauren first. I'll fill you in on the contract later."

Adeline nodded and let Lauren lead her upstairs.

Once they got to the kids' room and shut the door, the once-proud Lauren immediately drooped her head, looking all pitiful.

"Mommy, don't be mad. I'm helping you! And I wasn't in trouble. Daddy's actually pretty nice to me. When Bennett deleted the surveillance footage, he left a message for him, and Daddy didn't get mad at me for it."

Adeline was stunned. "What message?"

Lauren's big eyes sparkled, and she proudly said, "Scumbag!"

Adeline felt her headache intensify. She sighed, picked Lauren up, and carried her to the balcony. Sitting down, she held Lauren close.

Lauren leaned into her, sensing her distress. "Mommy, don't be mad."

'Why does Mommy look so upset? Did I do something wrong?' Lauren wondered.

Adeline just rubbed her little head. "Mommy needs to make a phone call."

Lauren stayed close, watching her take out her phone and dial a number.

"Bennett," Adeline said sternly.

On the other end, Bennett's voice sounded unusually small and nervous.  "Mommy, did you see Lauren?"

"Why did you and Lauren team up to do this?" Adeline asked, her tone a mix of exasperation and curiosity. She always knew Bennett was clever, way beyond his years, but she never expected him to plan for Lauren to find Jasper!

"Do you know how dangerous it is for a six-year-old to go out alone? And showing up in front of Jasper alone, how could he not be suspicious?"

"I know, Mommy, but how long do you think we can hide Lauren?" Bennett said sadly. "I know you'll find out sooner or later and be angry, but I still did it. Mommy, it's not just because you need this job. We're in Radiance Springs now, and Lauren can't stay indoors forever. Do you think people won't notice how much Lauren looks like him?"

Adeline looked down at Lauren in her arms. Those big, innocent eyes stared back at her. Anyone who knew Jasper would never doubt they were related.

Lauren was the spitting image of Jasper among the three kids. As much as Adeline hated to admit it, Bennett was right. Lauren couldn't be kept at home forever; she needed a normal life and friends. If Jasper found out...

Adeline didn't even want to think about it. With Jasper's smarts and resources, he'd figure it out in no time. She gripped her phone tightly, her voice dry. "I know."

She felt a pang of resentment. The kids she had raised with so much effort might be taken away by the man who once tried to kill her.

Bennett, being so sharp, understood her inner turmoil. He was worried about Lauren too, but some things had to be done, and only they could do it. "Since we'll be found out eventually, why not take the first step? No matter who he suspects, at least with Lauren around, he'll know you didn't die. And with Lauren by his side, it might stop him from marrying that other woman!"

Adeline was initially sad, but now she was even more surprised. "I don't remember telling you about these things."

Bennett gave a bitter smile, his young face full of melancholy, showing a maturity beyond his years. "Mommy, you often have nightmares. We all know. You've been through so much. Every time you cry in your sleep, it breaks our hearts!"

Adeline's eyes reddened. "I'm sorry."

If she could, she wouldn't want to be constantly awakened by nightmares or have her kids worry about her.

"Mommy, don't worry. You still have us." The six-year-old patted his chest and softly vowed, "We'll protect you! And if you ever want Lauren to come back, I'll make sure she does!"

Adeline bitterly hung up the phone and hugged Lauren tighter. She knew the kids meant well and that Bennett's words were sincere, but they underestimated Jasper.

Jasper, who once tried to kill her for someone else, could do anything to keep Lauren in the future. The thought sent a chill down her spine, and she didn't dare to think further.

Lauren, sensing her mother's distress, hugged her back tightly. She could hear a faint sob and felt the wetness of tears on her cheek. "Mommy, don't cry," she whispered. "I'll be good from now on. I promise I won't hide anything from you again."

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