Chapter 2 Ethan Reynolds

In less than an hour, Lauren arrived at the address of the hospital her stepmother sent to her. She asked for directions from the receptionist before she ran towards the elevator leading to the VIP room upstairs.

Lauren noticed the elevator doors were about to close as someone had just entered. She quickly used her hand to stop it before she squeezed herself into the elevator.

"Wow sis, you made it, I thought you would have already died from heartbreak on the road."

Lauren's hands tightened into fists as she drew in a sharp breath. She recognized the voice to be Lisa's but she chose to ignore it as she focused her gaze ahead. Her father was more important to her at that moment.

"You bitch, how dare you ignore me?!" Lisa spat as she dragged Lauren's hair from behind. She spun Lauren around and sent a hard slap across her face, "Do you have a death wish?!"

Lisa raised her hand to slap Lauren again, but Lauren caught her hand mid-air and held it firm, her eyes blazing with fury as she yelled. " What is wrong with you Lisa?! Why are you always trying to get on my last nerves?! What have I ever done to you?!

"Everything Lauren! You've done everything to me! Your existence in this world is my biggest nightmare, and I hate it! I hate you Lauren! I hate that you exist in this world!" Lisa spat as she jerked her hand free from Lauren's grip. Her eyes were bloodshot, filled with rage and hatred as they bore into Lauren's blue ones.

"Lauren, you've always gotten everything you wanted since the day you were born. You were able to make handsome guys cower at your feet, and you got love and attention from everyone in the neighborhood and school, even from strangers! You've got everything, Lauren - beauty, brains, and Dad's love. I've got nothing." Lisa's voice broke at the end as tears rolled down her cheek but she quickly used her hand to wipe off her tears as she didn't want Lauren to see her vulnerable. "Lauren, as long as you're alive, I'll continue to make your life miserable."

Many years ago, it was just Lauren and her loving parents, Mrs. Rose and Mr. Tate, but tragedy struck and her mother passed away, instantly shattering their happy family. Overwhelmed by grief, Mr. Tate transformed from a devoted father to a late-night bar hopper.

Eventually, Mr. Tate found his footing again but he became consumed by work. Even though Mr. Tate barely had enough time for Lauren, Lauren was still happy- her dad was okay and that was all that mattered. However, years later, Mrs. Celine arrived with two-year-old Lisa, claiming Mr. Tate was the father. The child was conceived during a drunken one-night stand. Despite this, Mr. Tate took responsibility and provided for them financially, but his love and care remained invested in Lauren.

Lisa made to walk out of the elevator but she flashed a smirk at Lauren before she added. "Oh, and in case you don't know, I'm the reason you got fired today. Oh my! You don't know how many times I had to sleep with that old fool to get him to fire you." Lisa confessed before she walked out of the elevator, leaving Lauren shocked and confused. She couldn't believe Lisa would stoop so low to hurt her. It took Lauren a while before she got herself back together and ran out of the elevator.

Lauren cleaned her tear-stained cheeks before she opened the door to the VIP room and then walked in. Lisa was already seated next to her father, shedding tears, as well as Mrs Celine, Lauren's stepmother. For some reason, Lauren felt like her stepmother was shedding fake tears, but she ignored it and walked toward her father, who was barely conscious.

"L-Lauren," Mr. Tate let out as he grabbed Lauren's hand into his. He held her hand so tenderly and pulled her in for a warm hug. A deep sigh left his mouth as he relished in the hug.

This scene hurt Lisa so much because she had tried to hug her father a while ago but he said he was too weak to accept any hugs.

Meanwhile, Mrs Celine had a disgusted look on her face as she watched the father and daughter duo hug. She hated the sight so much that she wished she could rip Lauren's head out. Instead, she walked towards Lauren and gently pulled her from her father's embrace. "Lauren darling, that's enough hugs; your father is still too weak."

Lauren growled in displeasure but she pulled out from the hug. She then turned to face Mrs Celine and whispered. "Don't you dare touch me next time."

Lauren opened her mouth to speak again but her father interrupted, clearing his throat before starting. "Lauren, I called you here because I have something important to discuss with you!"

"W-what is it father?" Lauren asked in a soft tone but her heart was racing. She couldn't shake off the feeling that she wasn't going to like what her father would say.

"Lauren, my company has gone bankrupt, and we're in so much debt right now." Mr. Tate voiced, his face pale and gaunt.

"What! How!!" Lauren yelled as she stood on her feet. She was beyond shocked.

Mr. Tate tugged at her shirt, coughing, as he gestured for her to sit next to him. When she sat down again, he proceeded. "Lauren, you know my health has been bad in the past few years, and I have not been able to oversee the company's affairs," Mr.Tate sighed. "To cut a long story short, my negligence has caused the company I worked so hard to build to crumble."

Tears streamed down from Mr. Tate's eyes as he continued. "Lauren, I cannot let Roseville company crumble; I built the company to where it is now because of you and your mother. I just can't let the company die," Mr. Tate's fingers wrapped tighter around Lauren's palm. "P-please, I need your help, Lauren."

Lauren's eyes welled up with tears as she witnessed her father's heartbreaking sob. The sight of her father's tears pierced into her heart like a dagger. She hated it so much, she hated to see her father cry. "F-father, what can I do to help?"

Silence stretched between the duo for a while before Mr. Tate revealed. "I have arranged a marriage for you Lauren. You will marry Ethan Reynolds to save the company!"