Chapter 120 Crushed by Regret


    His own sister had lived in a dark, damp storage room with nothing but a few worn-out pieces of


    furniture.


    They had taken a dog on vacation, yet left their own daughter behind.


    Every month, they spent a small fortune on Berry-grooming, deworming, premium dog food, fish oil, calcium supplements, vitamins.


    Yet Lauren never received a single cent. She had to pay for her education by working part-time and relying on schrships.


    Scenes yed out in his mind like a slideshow, again and again.


    He felt that have a sharp pain shot through his stomach, and before he could react, blood gushed from his mouth, staining the desk.


    So this was what it felt like-when pain was so unbearable, it made a person really cough up blood.


    This pain. I can''t even put it into words.


    Tears streamed down his face as he gazed at the family photo, tears streaming down his face.


    The blood mixed with his tears, smearing across the image, blurred Lauren''s face in the picture.


    Panicking. Elliat wiped at it, but the more he rubbed, the more bloodstains appeared, as if mocking her shattered life-forever drenched in blood and suffering


    Just a single photo had dragged him into an abyss of regret, his heart hurt so much. He no longer had the courage to open Lin Qian''s journal and abruptly shoved it into the drawer, shutting it tightly without hesitation.


    Clutching the blood-stained photo, he forced himself to stand. But the moment he stood up, everything felt like it was spinning...


    His vision darkened, his legs gave out, and he fell to the ground.


    The blood once again spilling from his lips, his stomach twisting in unbearable agony.


    He struggled on the ground for a long time, but his body was unable to get up.


    His trembling fingers barely managed to pull out his phone.


    With thest of his strength, he dialed Jeffrey.


    The call connected, and Jeffrey''s voice came through,ced with confusion. "Elliot? Why are you calling


    thiste?"


    Elliot opened his mouth, but no words came out.


    His throat felt blocked, his body wracked with violent coughs. Blood dripped onto


    the floor as the sounds of his suffering reached the other end of the line.


    Chapter 120 Crushed by Rearet


    Finished


    It took a long moment before Elliot finally forced out a few broken words. "I... I was wrong... I finally


    understand..."


    His voice cracked, each word seeming to squeeze out from the depths of a shattered soul.


    Jeffrey couldn''t make sense of it, but hearing Elliat''s anguished tone,, he had a feeling it was about Lauren.


    "Calm down, just take your time. Where are you right now?" he asked reassuringly


    But Elliat seemed not with him, lost in his own world as he continued, "I saw her awards, her eptance letter, and that family photo.... How could I do this to her? How could I...


    At the moment he didn''t know how tofort him, he could only say that he hurriedly interrupted him


    "Stay where you are. Tell me your location-I''ming right now! Elliot didn''t respond.


    He simplyy there, staring nkly ahead.


    Memories of Lauren in this home flooded his mind-the moments he had ignored, the pain he had brushed aside, the expectations he had crushed beneath his feet.


    He looked at the photo in his hands, now soaked in blood and tears.


    In his mind, he could see Lauren''s eyes-once filled with hope, now hollow and resigned.


    Closing his own eyes, he let out a silent plea.


    How do I make this right? How do I fix what I''ve done?


    Jeffrey rushed to the Bet residence.


    By the time he arrived, David and Alice had already been startled awake. Seeing


    the urgency on Jeffrey''s face, an ominous feeling settled over them.


    Under his insistence, they began searching for Elliot.


    Room after room, they found nothing.


    Jeffrey pulled out his phone, dialing Elliot again. The ringtone echoed from down the hall.


    Following the sound, the three of them rushed to the storage room.


    The door was slightly ajar, and they could vaguely see someone lying on the floor.


    Jeffrey''s heart clenched as he quickly pushed the door open.


    Athick, metallic scent filled the air, so strong it made him stop in his tracks. Blood.


    The room was soaked in it.


    Elliza ku encoded on the cold floor surrounded by the dark crimenn noal of nd he had crushed un


    Chapter 120 Crushed by Regret


    Finished


    His face was deathly pale, lips cracked and bloodied. A long trail of crimson dripped from the corner of


    his mouth.


    Despite the painful scene, his fingers still clutched the ined family photo, as if it


    was the only thing anchoring him to reality.


    Jeffrey rushed forward, dropping to his knees beside him.


    "Elliot! Wake up!" His voice was sharp, edged with panic


    There was no response.


    Behind him, David and Alice froze at the sight of their on drenched in blood.


    Both of them were stunned. Then, a strangled cry broke the silence.


    Alice copsed to her knees, immediately bursting into tears.


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