Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 213

The moment Hannah spotted the knife in Reba’s hand, something in her eyes shifted. Without thinking, she lunged forward, sinking her teeth hard into Lawrence’s arm. She wasn’t holding back, and within seconds, bright red drops appeared on his skin. He flinched, loosening his grip.

Hannah shoved him away, darted across the room, and grabbed the fruit knife. She didn’t even hesitate. Before anyone could stop her, she pressed the blade to her arm and pulled it across.

Gasps filled the living room. Somewhere in the chaos, Jasper’s terrified wailing broke through everything. “Mommy! Mommy!”

On the stairs, Odette stumbled, grabbing for the banister so she wouldn’t fall. It was all too familiar. Three years ago, she’d watched Hannah slide down onto the cold bathroom tiles with blood running from her wrist. It had trickled into the drain, swirling away with the water from the shower but never truly disappearing.

Hannah wasn’t Odette’s biological daughter, but that didn’t matter. In her heart, Hannah was her child. No parent could see something like this and not feel their heart break.

“My child…” Odette moved to get closer, but Hannah backed away.

“Don’t come near me. No one come any closer.”

Clenching her jaw, Hannah drew the blade across her skin again. Every face in the room turned anxious, pained. Only Lawrence seemed untouched, standing with a blank look on his face.

Was she not bleeding enough? Did it look fake?

Back then, even a shallow cut was enough to scare Lawrence. He’d always panic, begging her to put the knife down, swearing he’d do anything.

Now, everything felt completely out of control. Hannah’s grief welled up until it made her cry out. She wasn’t thinking, her mind empty, but her hand acted. This time, she pressed the knife deep into her wrist.

Blood rushed out. Faint and dizzy, Hannah barely saw as Odette collapsed to the ground. Jasper was in Reba’s arms, crying. Jackson was running toward her.

But where was her Lawrence? Where was he?

…

By early December, the weather in Cabinda had turned icy. Inside Bonnie’s apartment, the floor was warm and cozy, but stepping outside was another story. Winter was on its way, and you could feel it in the wind. After dinner with Aiken one night, they were driving home when snow started falling.

Aiken was handling all of it.

It wouldn’t be right not to do anything in return.

Bonnie turned to him. “Aiken, if you’re free, come have dinner at my parents’ house on my birthday. My mom and dad want to thank you in person.”

She really meant it. Shirley had called her a few times, reminding her to invite Aiken over for a meal. Even a simple home-cooked dinner would do.

Aiken’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, I’d love to. I’ve been wanting to meet your parents, anyway. It’s a deal. No take-backs.”

Bonnie laughed. “No take-backs. But don’t buy any gifts, and don’t bring anything. If you do, I won’t let you in.”

Aiken grinned, lifting an eyebrow. “That’s tough. What if I already bought you something? Are you really going to turn me away?”