Coming to Her  Doorstep  I was breathing heavily, ncing at  him sideways. "Don''t think it''s all over  just like that. Those images are etched  in my mind, and they''ve hurt me deeply. I can''t ever forget them."  He held me, his tone indulgent. "Then punish me. Make me hold you forever and not let go."  I chuckled at his persistence. This man was truly something else; he''d switch between being firm and soft, making it difficult to argue with him.


    "If you dare do that again, Iwon''t forgive you. I wouldn''t care about punishing you too." I deliberately teased him. "You have someone to hold, and I do too.”


    We yfully bantered back and forth.


    His handsome face tensed up, "Someone''s acting up, huh?”  I was taken aback and looked at him suddenly, trying to discern the truth in his words from his expression.


    He immediately sensed my reaction,  bit my lips, and said, "My girl, you''re even harder to coax than Ava."  I chuckled to myself; I knew he was just ying around. I stopped the teasing because saying too much could harm our rtionship, so 1 leaned against his chest. " wonder where Lauren is right now. Oliver has hurt her heart deeply this time. I don''t think there''s much room for a turnaround.


    What people fear most is heartache. It leaves deep scars that are hard toFrom N?velDrama.Org.


    heal."  As tightened his grip on my arm and  nuzzled my forehead with his chin.


    Honestly, I hoped the people around  me could all be happy and healthy.


    Lately, things had been going well for me, but others were stumbling along the way.


    These days, Grace had grown ustomed toing to Amethyst Apartments as if she were going to work every day. She woulde at2 p.m. every day, and would be busy cooking for Ava. Her condition seemed stable, and my mother had already epted that she was seriously ill, so they got along quite well.


    However, the moment something seemed to improve for Grace, problems


    started on Mnie''s side. She would constantly create trouble at Grace''s ce. And it was not just her, but also Abby.


    Today was my day off, and I had nned to sleep in after ate night.


    However, I was awakened early in the morning by amotion.


    I opened my eyes, and listening to the noisymotion outside, I sensed that something was amiss. I quickly pulled the covers and headed downstairs.


    I saw Ava and Jenny hiding next to the floor-to-ceiling window, peering outside fearfully. Jenny, two years older, held her protectively in her arms.


    As soon as Ava saw meing downstairs, she immediately let go ot , hy J Jenny and ran over to me. Mommy,


    there''s a wicked witch... that bad witch wants to hit Grandma. Mommy, call Uncle As quickly!" "Don''t be afraid. Mommy''s here. You and Jenny stay here and watch. Don''te out." I reassured her, and Jenny quickly took on a protective stance, "Ava, don''t be afraid. I will protect you." I turned and headed outside. As 1 opened the door, Twas greeted by loud, aggressive cursing. "Grace, you old hag! How dare you hide here, protecting this little slut? Do you want to die?" I only heard the voice, not seeing the person. Many people were gathered at the door, some of our elderly family members, along with some neighbors who hade out to watch the


    Abby''s antics seemed to escte with an audience.


    "Grace, you''re hanging out with this divorced slut, right? Did she give you the idea to snatch my house away? Even if Henry is around, he needs to make way for me too!” She even dared to brazenly mention Henry.


    "you should have died a long time ago, along with this little slut. Damn it. You bitches are always going against my daughter, huh? I won''t let any of you live in peace. Don’t even think about it!” [ reached the front door. Several of our elderly family members were guarding it. Grace had arrived quite early today,


    probably knowing that Ava had a day  off.


    I had no idea when she had arrived.


    At this moment, her hair was  disheveled, and my mother was  protecting her, gasping for breath.


    Molly was standing in front of my mother with adle in her hand. My father''s face was pale with anger, shaking his head continuously. "What  a shrew!”  Abby was still jumping about without fear like aplete clown. Her wrinkled face was heavily powdered, and she had put on lipstick, resembling a paper puppet.


    "Mom, all of you go inside!” yelled, startling Abby.. She paused fora moment, staring at me with wide eyes.


    = | When she realized it was me, she panicked. &?