<b>Chapter </b><b>38 </b>
<b>A </b>sudden realization dawned on Lawrence, and he waved his hands awkwardly. “Absolutely! Not your present mother, but a fabricated <b>one</b>. <b>She </b>passed away right before your eyes.”
Laura’s brow creased as she contemted, her demeanor gradually shifting to a dazed and detached state.
Lawrence’s tone grew somber. “In this very moment, right beside you, there are several adults who have been trapped under the fallen bricks, lying <b>on </b>the ground. Blood has stained the surroundings. Your mother is directly in front of you. You kneel down and take a look.”
Robert’s lips formed a mocking curve as he sneered, “It seemed like she might recite her lines expressionlessly the moment she spoke.”
Out of nowhere, the scene of her mother lying in a pool of water surged into Laura’s thoughts.
Her mother’s body twitched, and her once beautiful eyes filled with despair and emptiness.
“What should you do? What will you do if I die?”
Her body trembled, and she crouched down in disbelief, staring nkly. “Mommy?”
The very faint call left Robert’s expression touched with astonishment.
Lawrence gently guided. “Call out to her.”
Laura pursed her lips, and hesitantly extended her tiny hand toward the emptiness. She gave it a gentle shake, whispering, “Mommy, Mommy… Mommy!”
With each word, her voice grew louder, carrying a growing desperation in every outcry. Tears fell in sizable droplets, pooling into a small puddle on the ground beneath her.
The staff watched in stunned silence.
Even from outside the room, Dora felt a shiver run down her spine as she heard it.
Mandy nervously bit her lower lip, her unease evident. “Mommy, she must have cried in an ugly manner, right?”
However, inside the room, Laura cried incessantly and yet did not lose her elegance.
Lawrence’s expression grew increasingly serious. “Then you looked up and saw your dad.”
Laura suddenly lifted her head, meeting Robert’s gaze.
Robert’s heart seemed to skip a beat as if that gaze had prated into the depths of his soul.
It was as if they had truly transformed into a father and daughter finding sce in each other’s presence.
“Her ability to convey emotions was truly remarkable” Robert confessed to himself in private.
A hint of fascination appeared in Lawrence’s eyes. “You saw your father. He’s entirely covered in dirt and stood at a distance, gazing <b>at </b>you. What <b>are </b><b>you </b>going to do?”
Laura stared nkly at him as tears slipped down silently, and her hands fumbled to grasp her dress. <b>“</b>Daddy?”
“Robert’s breath hitched, and his eyes reddening as he silently looked at her.”
She rushed straight into his embrace. “Daddy!”
Robert stumbled back <b>a </b>couple of steps from her sudden impact and then hugged her tightly.
<b>1/2 </b>
<b>12:58 </b><b>Sat</b>, <b>16 </b><b>Aug </b>
Laura cried breathlessly, “I couldn’t wake Mommy up. She ignored me. She’s not responding to me, no matter what I do. Daddy, <b>please </b>save Mommyt
Images of Lilian lying in a pool of blood filled her mind.
The sight of the red dress hem billowing was a nightmare she could conjure even when she closed her eyes.
And so, she cried out again and again, “Daddy! Please save her! Please save her!”
She scream until her voice turned hoarse.
Tears welled up in Robert’s eyes.
He looked at Laura, and there weren’t any remnants of Lilian’s bothersome presence anymore
He knelt down, cradling Laura in his arms. “I’m here. From now on, L will stay with me.
The staff were all deeply moved, watching the two of them with teary eyes.
I’ll always be by your side.”
With tears rolling down his cheeks, Lawrence stood up abruptly, breaking into apuse. “Bravo! Bravo! L, you’re truly outstanding. You’re the one <b>I’ve </b>been looking for!”
Following suit, numerous staff also began to apud, creating thunderous apuse that continued on and on.
Laura was still immersed <i>in </i>sadness, and she looked at them with confusion.
Robert reached <i>out </i>to her. He delicately held the back of her head, <i>using </i>his other hand to wipe away her tears. A smile yed on <i>his </i>lips despite <b>the </b>teardrops glistening in his eyes. “I’ve truly underestimated you, little one.”
Laura sniffled and asked in a childish voice, “Do you <i>like </i>me?”
Robert was momentarily taken aback, then, he chuckled softly. “Don’t think too much. I’m simply acknowledging your talent in acting.”