Chapter 346 The Jealous Brother


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    Lauren''s never stayed over before. If ''hat if she''s scared of the dark? What if she wakes up and cries in the middle of the night? Someone should keep herpany... I should keep herpany.


    Victor convinced himself thoroughly. It all sounded perfectly reasonable in his head.


    He grabbed his pillow, tiptoed out of his room, and healed for Lauren''s door.


    The moonlight through the hallway windows cast a silver glow across the floor, stretching his small shadow along the marble.


    He reached her door and gently pushed it open.


    The soft creak of the hinges sounded like thunder in the quiet night.


    He froze.


    Waited.


    Listened


    No one stirred.


    Relieved, he crept inside-and stopped short when he saw the scene before him.


    Three figuresy peacefully on the bed. Madam Shirley had her arms wrapped tightly around Lauren, and Lauren''s head rested against her chest, fast asleep. Mr. Timely was on the other side, one arm draped over both of them, smiling faintly in his sleep.


    Victor blinked.


    Then he frowned.


    "They said they adopted her to keep mepany.” he muttered. “I haven''t even gotten to sleep with her yet, and they''ve already stolen her"


    He stood there for a long time, staring at the fully upied bed, looking for an opening-just a tiny sliver of space to squeeze into.


    Nothing.


    Frustrated, he circled the bed, but it was packed from edge to edge.


    With a quiet sigh, he backed away.


    He paused at the doorway, whispered, "Good night, Lauren," and trudged back to his room, shoulders slumped in defeat.


    The next morning, Lauren stirred. As her eyes fluttered open, the first thing she saw was Madam Shirley''s beautiful face.


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    "Hey, sweetheart, you''re up?" Madam Shirley beamed her, voice soft and full of love.


    Lauren froze for a second, still waking up. "Why... why are you in my bed?"


    "I thought you might get scared at night, so I slept here with you. Did you sleep well?" she asked, brushing a strand of hair from Lauren''s face.


    Lauren nodded.


    Too well, actually.


    The bed had been soft, the room warm, the sheets fresh. Everything was clean and gentle and perfect. She hadn''t even dreamed. Just slept straight through, safe and sound.


    She reached neck.


    and wrapped


    chubby little arms around Madam Shirley''s


    "Thank you for being so good to me, Mommy."


    Madam Shirley hugged her tight. "Silly girl. I''m your mom. Of course I''m good to you."


    Yeah


    That''s what moms are supposed to do.


    But Alice never understood that, not once.


    She always said she treated Lauren and Willow equally-but every decision, every


    act of "fairness," had been in Willow''s favor.


    But that was herst life.


    She didn''t need to drag that pain into this one.


    "Come on," Madam Shirley said cheerfully. "Time to get ready. Breakfast is waiting."


    Lauren nodded sweetly and slipped out of bed. Her tiny feet sank into the soft carpet as she walked over to put on her slippers.


    Madam Shirley pped with delight.


    Lauren raised an eyebrow.


    It''s just slippers. What''s the big deal?


    They headed into the bathroom together, where Lauren discovered the toothpaste


    already squeezed and her cup filled with warm water.


    She stared at it all, a little stunned.


    A quiet warmth filled her chest.


    She picked up her toothbrush and began brushing carefully.


    Madam Shirley stood to the side, practically bouncing with joy.


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    "Oh my goodness! Lauren brushes her teeth all by herself! My daughter is so amazing-such a smart little thing!"


    Just look at how well she brushes-better than me! What a pro!"


    "Oh my! She washes her own face too!! Genius! Absolute genius!"


    Lauren nearly choked on her toothbrush.


    Her whole face flushed red.


    How manypliments can one person give?!


    Between this life and thest, she had never, ever been praised like this.


    When they were finished, Madam Shirley scooped her up into her arms.


    "Time for breakfast!"


    "I can walk, Mommy,"


    "You just brushed your teeth, washed your face, put on lotion-you''ve done so


    much already! I got you.. Let me carry my little sweetheart."


    Lauren groaned internally.


    Seriously?


    She rolled her eyes.


    But even as she did, the corner of her lips twitched up.


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