Laura’s Victory Second Chance

Chapter 37

What started as a playful comment slipped from Laura’s lips with a hint of flirtation. As soon as she said it, her cheeks flushed. The silence that followed made her nervous, and she quickly retracted, thinking maybe Easton saw her as a flirt.

Just when she was regretting her words, Easton’s soft voice broke the quiet. “Maybe it’s not impossible.”

Laura’s eyes widened as she thought, ‘Did he just say that? The same man known for his icy demeanor and strict principles?‘

In her previous life, she had heard all the rumors. Women who got too close to him often ended up hurt–crippled or blinded by his indifference.

Suddenly, she felt a pang in her limbs and hastily explained, “Mr. Ryan, I was just joking.”

His response was straightforward. “But I took it seriously.”

*****

Sitting on the rooftop of the Gothic castle, Laura felt the cool breeze brush against her. The castle perched on a hillside gave her a clear view of the lights sparkling in the distance, a sea of homes glowing in the night.

She never thought she would spend her eighteenth birthday like this–with Easton. The black veil covering his eyes danced gently in the wind.

Propping her chin on her hand, she smiled, a pure and simple expression. Reflecting on her previous life, she realized her life had been chaotic; she hadn’t had a moment like this in ages. Even a simple smile felt like a luxury. It struck her then–it was really good to be alive.

Her voice carried softly on the breeze. “Mr. Ryan, do you know? I’ve wanted to leave the Sharpe family for a long time.”

“Mm.”

Not far away, Cedric watched the two from a distance, thinking, ‘The typically aloof Mr. Ryan is listening to a girl’s troubles. She is someone special to him—so much so that he is willing to work on his issues for her sake!

Laura took a deep sip of her wine, her tone growing somber. “Mr. Ryan, I grew up without parents. David and Emma took me in, and I treated them like my own. I was afraid they wouldn’t want me, so I did my best to be obedient. But no matter how hard I tried, I still ended up like this.”

Even though Easton couldn’t see her face, he sensed her sadness. His voice softened. “They don’t deserve it.”

“Yeah, I know they don’t. But it’s hard not to feel sad about it. I promise this is the last time. After tonight, the Sharpe family will only be my enemy.” She sounded determined, almost like she was gritting her teeth.

The Sharpe family had driven her to the edge. Olivia had taken her own life to escape, and Matthew, who was yet to appear, along with the Brown family lurking in the shadows–these people were no longer family or friends. They were simply enemies now.

The Godfrey family shares that David had his eyes on would definitely be a point of conflict.

A large hand brushed over her head, ruffling her hair–a familiar gesture that reminded her of the times she used to play with that fluffy golden

hair.

“Don’t be sad. I’ll help you,” he said.

With Easton’s support, she figured the Sharpe family wouldn’t last more than a month. It couldn’t possibly compare to the six years of misery she had suffered. “Mr. Ryan, I can handle my own enemies,” she insisted, her voice firm.

Easton figured he needed to step back and let her take charge. He gently held her hand to stop her from reaching for more wine. “You’ve had enough to drink.”

“I’m grown up now,” she replied with a playful tone, reaching for his hand again.

Both of them were sitting close together, but Easton had a longer reach. He raised his arm to gently block Laura’s hand from grabbing the glass. “If you keep drinking, you’ll get drunk.”

Determined, Laura stood up and tried to snatch it away. With a playful tone, she teased, “But you’re here to keep an eye on me, right?”

-Those words stirred something in Easton’s heart. The way she spoke, so innocent and sweet, felt like honey drizzling over his heart. ‘Does she believe in me that much?‘ he thought.

But then it hit him–she was just a naive girl, still blissfully unaware of the darker side of life. She thought she was married to him, but she didn’t know the truth about him. Ignorance could make a person brave.

Realizing this, Easton’s expression softened. He couldn’t let her see the truth. For now, it was better this way.

While Easton was lost in thought, Laura poured herself another glass of wine. “No more drinking,” he said firmly.

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“Just one more sip, the very last one,” she pleaded, her voice a mix of charm and softness.

Suddenly, she lost her balance and fell into his arms, snuggling against his chest like a lazy cat. Her lips brushed against him, leaving a faint scent of wine in the air.

Easton had been blind for a long time, and for him, that darkness had become a kind of sanctuary. But in that moment, he couldn’t help but wish he could see her–how beautiful she must be.

Cedric had mentioned how stunning she looked in that red dress and Easton had already guessed that. Now that the beautiful little girl in his memories was grown, there was no doubt she was gorgeous.

With her hands pressed against his chest, Laura said, “Mr. Ryan, I…”

“Hmm?” His voice was deep and smooth, particularly mesmerizing in the stillness of the night.

“I—I just realized that we don’t have a marriage certificate yet.” Her voice was shaky, and she felt her cheeks heating up. That excuse was weak at best.

Easton suddenly understood she thought he might take things further. The truth was, he was just like any man, and she was someone he had admired for a long time.

It would be a lie to say he didn’t want to, but not now. She was still a bit too young for that, and he didn’t want to scare her.

Laura blinked, her eyes wide and innocent. “Mr. Ryan, do you believe I’m drunk?”

What a flimsy excuse… A small smile crept onto Easton’s face, which usually wore such a serious expression. “Whatever you say, I believe you.”

At that moment, Laura thought, ‘If he could see, his eyes would shine brighter than the stars in the sky.