Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Laura returned to the Tanglewood Oaks neighborhood at nine oclock , cradling her sleeping daughter Arianna in her arms .
The night was quiet , save for the soft crunch of gravel beneath her shoes as she approached the house .
Stepping into the living room , she saw Sofia seated on the couch , holding Blair , a pristine white poodle she adored as if it were her own child .
The faint sound of the television played in the background , but Sofias sharp gaze was fixed on Laura .
Sofia , youre still up ? Laura asked , keeping her voice low so as not to wake Arianna .
Sofias expression darkened with annoyance .
Oh , so you finally decided to come home .
Had your fill of fun out there , have you ? Its not like that , Laura said , attempting to keep her tone calm .
The Robinson family had too many relatives over , and I got tied up helping .
It was a busy day .
She shifted Ariannas weight slightly in her arms .
Ill just take Ari upstairs to bed first .
Stop right there .
Sofias icy voice cut through the air like a whip .
Laura froze mid step , then turned to face her mother in law .
Sofia , is there something else ? Theres a lot , Sofia said , her tone lated with disapproval .
She began listing tasks , each word a pointed barb .
Do you have any idea how much work piled up around here while you werent home ? The house hasnt been cleaned , the kitchens a mess , and Marthas laundry along with ours is still sitting in the washroom , untouched .
The flowers outside havent been moved to the rack , Blair hasnt had her bath , and- Sofia , Im exhausted , Laura interrupted gently , trying to negotiate .
Cant it wait until tomorrow morning ? I promise Ill get up early and take care of everything .
Absolutely not , Sofia snapped , stroking Blairs fur with a deliberate air of authority .
Has no one ever taught you that procrastination is a bad habit ? Tomorrow will have its own set of tasks .
Youll rest when the work is done .
Start by bathing Blair .
It needs its rest too .
And remember , my clothes are to be hand- washed .
Ill inspect everything when I wake up .
There was no room for argument in Sofias tone , and Laura swallowed her frustration .
Alright , she murmured , resigned .
Taking Arianna upstairs , Laura carefully tucked her daughter into bed , wiping her small face and body before pulling up the blanket .
Once Arianna was settled , Laura changed into a comfortable set of loungewear and descended the stairs .
The nights chores stretched out before her like a mountain she had no choice but to climb .
She started with the laundry , tossing the sheets into the washing machine before heading to the bathroom with Blair in tow .
Bathing the poodle was a meticulous process , from washing and rinsing to blow drying her pristine coat .
After placing Blair in her cozy pet house , Laura moved on to hand washing Sofias delicate garments , scrubbing each piece with care .
Next came tidying the kitchen , wiping every surface until it gleamed .
Then she stepped outside to move the flower pots onto their racks .
Finally , she swept the floors , the rhythmic motion of the broom dulling her senses as exhaustion took hold .
When the last task was done , Laura dragged herself upstairs , every muscle in her body aching with fatigue .

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After a quick shower , she collapsed onto the bed , the clock on her bedside table reading 2 a.m.
Not long after , she heard the sound of the front door creaking open .
The unmistakable scent of unfamiliar perfume hit her first , followed by the acrid tang of cigarettes and alcohol as Matteo entered the room .
Lauras chest tightened .
Her nose burned as she fought the urge to cry .
How many times has this happened now ? she 1/4 13:19 Wed , 26 Feb • Chapter 24 thought bitterly .
She had long lost count of the nights her husband came home reeking of another womans perfume .
85 % It wasnt just the scent .
The laundry she handled often bore traces of his infidelity strands of hair that werent hers , faint smudges of lipstick , or a stray business card from a random woman tucked into his pockets .
His excuses were always the same , a well worn script .
He claimed it was all part of the game , just harmless flirting at business functions .
He even went as far as to say that he had been more than accommodating and told her not to make a fuss over things that werent worth her time .
Youve been drinking , Laura said quietly , her voice barely carrying the weight of her exhaustion .
Matteo unbuttoned his shirt with deliberate carelessness , his lips curving into a faint smirk .
How else am I supposed to seal business deals ? No deals , no money to support you , Ari , and this household .
Youve had too much .
Its not good for you and itll make you feel sick .
Laura pushed back her weariness , lifting the blanket and swinging her legs off the bed .
Ill make you a hangover cure .
Before her feet touched the ground , Matteos hand shot out , yanking her back onto the bed with startling force .
His grip tightened around her wrists , pinning them above her head .
Her heart raced , unease clawing at her insides .
What are you doing , Matteo ? she asked aloud , her voice trembling .
What do you think I want ? His tone dripped with condescension as he tossed aside her hands and leaned down , pressing his lips against the side of her neck .
Youre my wife .
Ill do whatever I damn well please .
Please , not tonight , Laura pleaded as she squirmed beneath him , her words edged with desperation .
Im exhausted .
Can we not do this ? He let out a derisive laugh , the sound cold and sharp .
He shook his head as if shed told a bad joke .
Exhausted ? All you do is look after the kid and tidy up the house .
I work my ass off to keep a roof over your head and food on the table , and you have the audacity to talk to me about being tired ? Her voice cracked with frustration and utter exhaustion as she countered , Every chore in this house falls on me , Matteo .
I just finished everything and barely got into bed.
Dont make me laugh , he sneered , cutting her off .
Cooking , cleaning , doing laundry ? Thats hardly what Id call hard work , Laura .
Quit whining and cut the act .
If its so easy , then Ill go back to work , she said , her voice firm despite the ache in her soul .
The idea was one shed considered countless times .
When they married , shed been reluctant to leave her job , but Matteo had insisted she quit to focus on their family .
For four years , shed poured herself into the role of homemaker , only to have her efforts dismissed as insignificant .
Matteos laugh was icy , a dagger disguised as a smile .
Yeah , right .
Keep dreaming .
Your job is to take care of my parents and cater to me .
Thats it .
He punctuated his words by leaning in closer , his lips brushing her skin again .
But this time , the scent of another womans perfume hit her like a slap , tormenting her soul .
The familiar sting of betrayal rose in her throat , and her lashes trembled as she blinked back tears .
She took a sharp breath and whispered , her voice shaking with raw emotion , Matteo , if youve been with another woman , dont touch me .
Its gross .
The air between them grew heavy , her words igniting his temper .
His hand shot to her chin , gripping it tightly as he glared 2/4 13:19 Chapter 24 26 Feb down at her , his eyes blazing with anger .
Did you just call me gross ? Youve got some nerve , he hissed, his hold tightening .
What , are you still not over your ex ? Youd rather sleep with him , huh ? You whore .
The words sliced through her , dredging up old wounds shed thought had healed .
Her voice faltered as she responded , 45 You knew I had a boyfriend before we got together .
You told me it didnt matter , that you didnt care about my past as long as I chose you .
Those words , once so sweet and convincing , now felt like daggers in her chest .
Mens promises are nothing but lies , she thought bitterly , her heart heavy with regret .
Laura had been in a steady relationship when she first met Matteo , a strikingly confident client of her company .
Matteo , captivated by her graceful beauty and gentle demeanor , fell hard for her at first sight .
He pursued her relentlessly , showering her with extravagant gifts and even going so far as to visit her home uninvited .
His boldness and generosity quickly won over her father , Jimmy , who joined forces with Peyton to pressure Laura into breaking up with her boyfriend .
Matteos persistence eventually broke through Lauras reservations .
Despite her initial hesitation , his unwavering devotion moved her .
After six months of dating , and under her fathers encouragement , she agreed to marry him .
Once married , Matteos mother , Sofia , pushed Laura to quit her job and focus on starting a family .
A year later , Laura gave birth to their daughter , Arianna .
But Sofia was far from satisfied she began pressing Laura to have more children .
Later , when Laura became pregnant again , a tragic fall led to a miscarriage , and she never became pregnant after that .
Sofias displeasure turned into outright hostility .
She began to openly criticize Laura , blaming her for everything and nitpicking her every move .
Whenever conflict arose between Sofia and Laura , Matteo consistently sided with his mother .
The once loving bond between Laura and Matteo began to fray under Sofias interference .
For four long years , Lauras life revolved entirely around Matteo , Arianna, and Matteos mother and grandmother .
She had no personal time , no meaningful social connections , and no outlet to be herself .
The vibrant , confident woman she once was had faded into a weary , unrecognizable shadow of her former self .
The spark in Matteos eyes when he looked at her had long disappeared , replaced with disdain .
And on occasion , he would even say things like how foolish he had been to ever fall for her in the first place .
I was a fool , Matteo said with a bitter chuckle .
Laura , as long as were not divorced , youre still my wife , and you will fulfill your duties as one .
Youd better behave yourself , or dont blame me if things get physical .
Laura was too drained to resist .
Physically , she was no match for Matteo , and her spirit was already battered beyond recognition .
She endured in silence as he took what he wanted from her , treating her as little more than an object for his satisfaction .
Yet Matteo , dissatisfied with her lack of reaction , grew even more frustrated and bored .
His grip on her was less about passion and more about control , his goal to torture her and force some kind of response be it a cry , a protest , anything .
But Laura bit down hard on her lip , refusing to give him the satisfaction .
Her stubborn silence only stoked Matteos fury .
Finally , he pushed himself off her in frustration and glared at her , muttering angrily , Its like having sex with a mannequin .
Are you even a woman ? Laura remained motionless , lying lifelessly on the bed , her gaze fixed on the ceiling .
3/4 13:19 Wed , 26 Feb Chapter 24 Did you hear me ? Or have you gone deaf now ? Matteo snapped , his voice rising .
Her silence was like gasoline poured onto a roaring fire .
Matteos already simmering anger boiled over , and in a fit of rage , he yanked her up from the bed and tossed her onto the cold , hard floor .
Laura let out a muffled gasp of pain , the shock of impact making her body tremble .
Well , at least youre not mute , Matteo sneered , a cruel smirk playing on his lips as he stalked off toward the bathroom .
The Matteo who had once adored her , who had treated her with tenderness and care during their courtship four years ago , was gone .
In his place was a man she could barely recognize , someone who lashed out at her with words and fists the moment things didnt go his way .
Alone in the room , Laura could no longer hold back the flood of emotions .
Tears spilled from her eyes , soaking her pillow as her muffled sobs echoed the despair she carried deep in her heart .
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