Chapter 34 Flashbacks (rootcause)
The second time wasn’t as frightening. Slowly, they both became more relaxed, more confident. Their bond deepened until they felt fearless. They made their promises never to part, to build a future together. Smith vowed he would be her first and only man… and she swore the same.
…
Back at the hospital, Laura stared at her father with tear-filled eyes, unable to say anything. He had seen the tiny smile on her lips when Harry delivered Smith’s message, that smile was why he slapped her. She dared to smile at such a time.
Anger pulsed through him.
“You’re nothing but an empty barrel right now,” he hissed, his voice sharp with contempt. “And you seem to enjoy it, since you’re happy to hear from him, right?”
Laura’s eyes widened. She knew what was coming.
“Dad, no! I love him, and he feels the same”
SLAP!
Another harsh slap cut her words short. A nurse witnessed it this time and rushed over.
“Sir, please! She’s not in the best condition,” the nurse said, trying to maintain professionalism, though fury flashed in her eyes. Laura was pale from blood loss, how could a parent strike her like that?
Laura’s mother remained silent, her expression cold and indifferent.
That was when her father made his decision. He told Laura he no longer wished to see her. He threatened to kill her if she ever returned, and declared he didn’t care if he ended up in prison for it.
Her mother gave her a look of pure disappointment and walked out with her husband, not even glancing back.
Only after they left did Laura release the breath she’d been holding.
She had no regrets. Living in that house meant constant fear, fear of disappointing, punishment, making a mistake. She would only regret her actions if Richard Smith threw her away.
When she recovered enough to be discharged, the first place she went was the Smith’s home. Harry happened to be there and informed her that his brother had been arrested.
Laura immediately followed Harry to the police station and insisted Smith was innocent. When the officers contacted her parents, they yelled over the phone, refusing involvement. Since the supposed “victim” was perfectly fine and practically begging for Smith’s release, the police had no choice but to grant bail.
…
When Smith learned Laura had been disowned, he was shocked and blamed himself. He apologized repeatedly, but Laura calmly admitted that although she wasn’t emotionally broken, she had nowhere to go. She knew her parents well, if she returned home, they would hurt her.
Smith told her to stay with him, insisting he would visit her parents and apologize.
He returned later with a swollen forehead, Laura’s father had thrown something at him. They told him to take her and never bring her back. If he loved her so much and thought he was grown enough to play husband, then he should go ahead and marry her.
They even sarcastically offered their “blessings,” warning him to stay far away from their sight or suffer the consequences.
That was when Smith learned about Laura’s condition, that she might never be able to have children.
He felt like he had destroyed her life. He hadn’t meant to, but the guilt crushed him.
When he gently asked her about it later, she avoided the topic completely, too busy fussing over the wound on his forehead. But her eyes betrayed the fear she tried to hide.
Richard Smith held her hands firmly and vowed to take care of her. She was his first woman and would be his last.
Laura hesitated before asking about children. Smith simply said he didn’t want any. As long as he had her, he was complete.
That answer broke her. She cried and cried, but Smith held her and promised he would never leave.
From then on, they worked, studied, and lived together. Smith paid school fees for the three of them, and Laura proved she wasn’t a burden. She helped in every way she could, managing tasks, assisting with his work, and supporting him through the tough nights.
For the first time in her life, Laura could breathe. She was happy. Smith was her home.
But unbeknownst to them, Harry had overheard their conversation about not wanting children. Seeing Smith’s growing success, he began planning his own future. If Laura couldn’t bear a child, and Smith stayed loyal to her, then Harry’s child would be Smith’s only heir. All he needed was to make himself indispensable, to make Smith feel indebted.
By the time they graduated, Smith’s small company had finally taken shape. On that very day, he brought Laura to the office, his secret project, his dream, and proposed to her.