Drunk with a Clear Mind i rmed, I pounded on the door forcefully. "Lauren, open up! I know you''re in there! It''s me, Chloe!" I''pounded for an eternity and finally heard some shuffling from inside. I breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Lauren, it''s me, Chlo. Please open the door, okay?" Finally, the door clicked open. I was flooded with relief and quickly pushed the door open. What I saw inside made me gasp.


    As the door swung open, I found Lauren lying on the floor, looking disheveled and far from herself.


    "Lauren!" I rushed in and lifted her,Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    Wr 719 BONUS gently brushing away the tangled mess of hair on her face, "Lauren, what have you done? Lauren..." he My hand stroked her cheek, but the room was heavy with the odor of alcohol, making it difficult to breathe. | set her down and rushed to open all the  windows. Then I hurried back to hold her.


    Not letting Carol stay was a mistake. I quickly pulled out my phone, intending to call Carol and ask her to return. I was worried about Lauren in this state.


    However, she clumsily swatted my phone away. "No... don''t!" "Lauren, what are you doing? If something''s bothering you, you should''ve called me. Why keep everything to yourself? Aren’t I your


    friend?" I yelled in frustration, Despite Lauren’s slender frame, I couldn''t budge her. - She waspletely wasted. This exined why it took her so long to open the door.


    It appeared that her mind was still present despite the alcohol. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have heard me calling.


    I slowly dragged her to bed and copsed on the floor out of exhaustion. There were bottles of alcohol everywhere I looked. I didn''t know how much she had drunk.


    After catching my breath, I wiped Lauren''s face with a cold towel while she struggled to stop me. She must have thought I was Oliver.


    Her face was pale, and her breath reeked of alcohol.


    The guilt was gnawing at me. I should have checked on her after the banquet ended, but I assumed she would be busy at the Hansen residence.


    I''went to the kitchen to make a bowl of hangover soup. It was something to fill her stomach. I was sure she hadn''t eaten anything the past day.


    Otherwise, she wouldn''t be in this state from intoxication.


    Looking at her frail form, I felt a sharp pang in my heart. What was the point of all this? Love was supposed to be a source of joy, not torment.


    It reminded me of how things were with As before. Back then, I truly felt exhausted, especially when my arm


    was in a cast.


    vividly remember one day when I saw As having a meal with Harmony.


    Perhaps to humiliate me, Harmony insisted on having As feed her. It was like I didn''t exist.


    It felt like something inside me had died. I thought about all the love and care I poured into him, only for him to move on without looking back.


    Whether it was family pressure or outside influences, how could I not be self-conscious? At that time, I thought As and I would never be together. That was when I gave up and stayed with Ryan.


    However, [ knew that this love wasn''t something I could dive into.


    Back when I was with Matthew, it was a constant struggle. It was filled with


    calctions and schemes to Sere a meager piece of what should have rightfully been mine. = After falling for As, it was a rollercoaster of ups and downs. I thought it was just me grappling with challenges, but everyone faced the same battles.


    It seemed like only women bound by love would go to such lengths. But how much of our precious time did we waste? Just like Lauren now. She had gambled with her youth, standing by Oliver''s side, enduring insults.


    Wasn''t she perceptive? She was. But what had she gained by holding on? Disgrace, mockery, and being taken for granted.


    CT Sew Watching her move effortlessly through social scenes with Oliver, it seemed like she had it all. In the end, she was just an ornament. I couldn''t say for sure that Oliver truly loved her.


    It was no surprise that Lauren sobbed  when I spoke up for her. She must have endured so much, and only she truly knew the pain she carried.


    The madame of the Hansen family had finally passed away, but it didn''t guarantee that Lauren would take her ce. I was sure she carried her burdens.