The Heiress Revived from the Ashes (Lauren Bennett) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17 No Difference at All

Lauren woke up in Elliot’s room–again

The first thing she saw was Marilyn sitting beside the bed, carefully dabbing a cotton swab against her swollen face, her expression full of concern

As soon as Marilyn noticed she was awake, she asked anxiously, “Ms. Bennett, are you feeling any discomfort!”

Lauren stared blankly at her moving lips her tears falling silently.

Marilyn’s eyes turned red with worry. “Ms. Bennett, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

Lauren couldn’t hear her clearly

David’s slap had further damaged her already weak right ear, leaving her only able to catch faint, muiled sounds.

But she could read lips. She understood what Marilyn was saying

Before prison, she never had to rely on lip–reading.

But after losing hearing in her lett ear, she struggled to understand the guards commands. And when she didn’t respond fast enough. their punishments were even harsher.

To avoid more beatings, she had forced herself to learn. Even if she couldn’t hear clearly, at least she could read their lips and

Lauren swallowed the bitterness and forced a smile. “Marilyn. I’m fine. I am just really hungry.

Thinking back to what happened that morning. Marilyn felt a wave of injustice on Lauren’s behalf.

Ma. Bennett is such a kind and thoughtful person. How can Mr. David Madam Alice and Mr. Elliot not see that!

“What would you like to eat. Ms. Bennent?”

“Noodle soup

“Alright. Ill make some right away

Lauren nodded. leaning against the headboard. She stared out the window, her thoughts drifting.

She wasn’t sure how ruch time had passed before the door opened again.

Assuming it was Marilyn, she turned her head–only to see Alice standing there

Alice met her distant gaze, and a sharp pang shot through her chest. But instead of retreating, she walked over and sat beside the bed

“Laune, I made you some noodle soup myself. Try it

She reached out to feed her, but Lauren instinctively pulled away.

I can do it myself” Lauren took the utensils from her hand.

She looked down at the bowl of noodle soup The broth was clear, the noodles soft yet firm, topped with fresh green scallions. and a perfectly poached egg

No heavy seasonings, no extra garnish–just a simple, comforting dish with an inviting aroma.

She picked up some noodles and slowly chewed. The familiar taste spread through her mouth, warming her from the inde

Alice watched her with anticipation “How is it Do you like it?”

Lauren’s hand paused mid–motion “You made this”

Chapter 17 No Difference at All

Alice nodded with a smile. “Yes. Even Willow has never had my homemade noodles. You’re the first

She said it like it was something special, a gift, a sign of love.

But Lauren wasn’t moved.

Instead, she let out a cold, mocking laugh.

She didn’t say a word and simply continued eating

Alice had no idea what noodle soup meant to her.

A simple bowl of noodles had once gotten her through an entire winter.

Finished

Even after all these years, Lauren still remembered the first time Marilyn made her noodle soup–it was the winter of her freshman year of high school.

That night was pitch–black. She had biked home, pushing through the wind and snow,

The entire Bennen estate was dark. No one had left a light on for her.

The family had already eaten their fill and gone to bed early, while she stood there, shivering, with nothing but cold leftovers. to quiet her hunger.

Later that night, the pain hit–her stomach twisted in unbearable cramps. It wasn’t until she threw up everything she had eaten that she finally felt some relief

That was when Marilyn, up in the middle of the night, found her sick and took care of her. She made her a steaming bowl of noodle soup

From that night on, Marilyn always left a light on for her. She stayed up, waiting for Lauren to come home, making her noodle soup, dumplings, and porridge–simple, comforting meals that were easy to digest.

Everyone in the Bennett family knew Elliot had a weak stomach. But no one ever noticed that Lauren had developed the same condition after moving in.

She never had stomach issues at the orphanage.

Yet in her own home, she went hungry so often that she ruined her health.

How ironic.

The taste of Marilyn’s noodle soup was something she could never forget. So how could she not recognize whose hands had really made the bowl in front of her?

She finished every last bite, even drinking the broth.

Alice’s face lit up. “Was it good?”

Lauren fixed her gaze on Alice’s lips and cut straight to the point. “Just say what you need to say. No need to beat around the bush”

Her flat, emotionless tone made the gap between them feel even wider.

Alice frowned, clearly displeased. “Laurie, I truly care about you. Why can’t you just let go of the past?”

Lauren didn’t answer She just stared at her, gaze steady, sharp–as if she could see right through her.

Under that look, Alice faltered. Her confidence wavered. Finally, she sighed. “Laurie, tell me what do I have to do for you to accept me

Lauren still didn’t speak

Because site abrady knew the answer. Even if she told Alice, she wouldn’t be able to do it. So why bother saying anything at all

een them.

Chapter 17 No Difference at All

But all she got in return was Lauren’s cold indifference

Finished

IIT just.

In the end. Alice let out a long, weary sigh and dropped the act “Laurie, Funderstand that you’re upset, but you can’t, stand by and do nothing while Bennett Corporation struggles. If we don’t restore our partnership with Gray Corporation, the company & losses will only get worse. You’re a part of the Bennett family. You should do your part”

Lauren had once believed that Alice was different from the rest of them.

Today, she realized she had been wrong.

Alice was just like the rest of the Bennetts.

If she really wanted to pretend she cared, she could’ve at least tried a little harder.

Instead, she didn’t even bother putting in the effort–handing her a bowl of Marilyn’s noodle soup and pretending it was some grand gesture while spouting empty words about family and responsibility.

In that moment, a bitter realization hit her–no matter how much she wished otherwise, she was still one of them.

Get out

What

“Either you leave, or I do” Lauren threw off the covers, making a move to get out of bed