Chapter 23

Because of Charlie, it was already past eight o'clock when Lauren returned to the Bennett family's house. The family had finished dinner.

Lauren went to the dining hall for a snack, then returned to her room. Her leader had urged her to return many times, so she planned to go back tomorrow.

Back in her room, Lauren showered. Afterward, she sat on the edge of the bed, drying her hair with a bath towel. A knock came at the door.

“Lauren, are you awake? It’s me.”

It was Mrs. Bennett. Lauren draped the towel over her shoulders and opened the door.

Mrs. Bennett, simply dressed, looked gentle and soft.

“I wanted to see you,” Mrs. Bennett said softly.

Lauren stepped aside to let her in. Mrs. Bennett sat on the sofa and placed a car key on the table. Lauren recognized it as a Ferrari key.

“This is a gift for you,” Mrs. Bennett smiled. “I planned to give it to you yesterday, but I missed the chance, and you weren't home today.”

A gift from Mom! Seeing the key, Lauren's heart softened. She remembered Jeffery's stories about Mrs. Bennett and how much she had loved her when Lauren was little, even though they had been separated for eighteen years. Lauren didn't know what to say.

Neither woman spoke, but Lauren felt a warmth inside.

“Thank you,” Lauren began, wanting to add "Mom," but found the word difficult to say. She lowered her head, annoyed with herself.

Mrs. Bennett watched nervously. Seeing Lauren's downcast head, she feared Lauren disliked the gift. Just as she was about to speak, she noticed Lauren's wet hair.

Mrs. Bennett stood, picked up the towel from Lauren's shoulder, and gently dried her hair.

Lauren was surprised and froze.

“Sit down,” Mrs. Bennett said gently.

Lauren sat on the sofa while Mrs. Bennett stood behind her, slowly drying her hair. At that moment, Lauren longed to turn back time, to be a child again and throw herself into her mother's arms without hesitation, erasing the eighteen-year separation.

Lauren reflected that she shouldn't have been so guarded. Someone always has to take the first step. She should do that for her mother. She was her mother's daughter.

After silently practicing the word "Mom," Lauren clenched her fists, summoning the courage to say the word she'd dreamed of for over a decade.

Before she could speak, however, Mrs. Bennett said, “You have such beautiful hair.”

Lauren noticed her mother's hair was equally silky.

“I inherited it from you,” Lauren said, immediately lowering her head in shyness.

Mrs. Bennett smiled. “Yes, you are my daughter, and of course you take after me.”