CHAPTER 7: CLAIMING WHAT'S MINE

It was the dawn of a new day. The first rays of sunlight gently kissed her face, and Lauretta slowly opened her eyes. She couldn't shake off the feeling of anger from the argument with Carol the night before. Glancing at her phone, she realized Carol had tried to reach her multiple times. With a heavy sigh, Lauretta decided to take off her SIM card, cutting off any chance of the Lawsons ever contacting her again. "I can't deal with their drama anymore," she muttered to herself as she tossed the SIM card aside. She stood up to look through the window; she felt ready for a good day and would want to enjoy it to the fullest. For the first time in a long time, she felt really relaxed. She headed into her luxurious bathtub to have a warm, refreshing bath. After freshening up, Silver made her way to the kitchen, her stomach growling in anticipation of breakfast. " Today, I'm just going to focus on myself and leave the chaos of the past behind," she said to herself; she was startled by Juliana's presence. "I thought you wanted to sleep your day away", Juliana said without lifting her head. "Well, I wish I could, but the morning reminded me there's a need to live through the day, not sleep through it", Lauretta responded, grabbing a glass to pour herself some juice from Juliana's table. "Well, what can we say? I don't know how you let these two rifles ride on you this long," Juliana remarked, pointing her phone to Lauretta. Lauretta's grip tightened around the glass, her knuckles turning white as she stared at the image on Juliet's phone. Memories flooded her mind, each one a painful reminder of the life she had left behind. "That bracelet," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, "it belonged to me." Juliana glanced up, surprised by the sudden shift in Lauretta's demeanor. "What do you mean?" she asked, curiosity evident in her tone. "It's from my family," Lauretta explained, her voice tinged with sadness. "My mother gave it to me as a symbol of our bond. Seeing Katrina wearing it..." She trailed off, unable to put her feelings into words. Juliana's expression softened as she placed a comforting hand on Lauretta's shoulder. Her eyes lit after a short stare " I think we should get it back. Together." Lauretta nodded. With determination burning in her eyes, she knew she wouldn't rest until she reclaimed what was rightfully hers. Considering Carol's call and threat, her anger fueled the more. "Let's get it, every damn thing I gave them, I want it back'' her voice was filled with anger. Lauretta's sudden outburst caught Julian off guard, but she quickly rallied behind her friend's determination. "Absolutely, Lauretta", she affirmed, her voice laced with anger too. "They've crossed the line this time. It would help if you took back what's yours. They really do not deserve it." Lauretta nodded, her jaw revealing her determination. "I won't let them trample over me and still have what's mine", she declared, her eyes blazing with resolve. "I'm ready when you are a girl!" Juliana said she was full of eagerness like she wanted it so now. Lauretta's lips curled into a confident smile. "Let's pay them a visit," she said, her tone daring. "I'm in dying need to watch their faces as I reclaim my properties." Juliana grinned, feeling a surge of excitement. "Let's do it," she agreed; she was eager and very much determined. "I've been waiting for this moment." With a shared nod of understanding, Lauretta and Juliana prepared to confront the Lawsons head-on, ready to reclaim Lauretta's belongings and put an end to the injustice once and for all. Lauretta checked the key racks for her keys to her G-Wagon, a vehicle that she had not used for a while, leaving it for the family dinner. She went home without wanting anything from home three years ago. She attempted to keep a low profile among the Lawsons, who knew little about her true status. In her rearview mirror, she spotted Juliana, her friend and supporter, trailing behind in her luxury car. As they rolled up to the Lawsons' townhouse, Lauretta couldn't suppress a twinge of discomfort as she stared at the house she once called her home. While it might have been impressive to the average person, it felt like a downgrade compared to her family's grand estates. Julian's eyebrows shot up in surprise as they parked. "How have you been managing here?" she asked; she was filled with disbelief. Lauretta shrugged, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Barely," she admitted. "But it's been a necessary compromise." Juliana nodded in understanding, her expression softening with empathy. "Well, it's about time we change that," she declared With a shared chuckle, they marched toward the front door, ready to reclaim what was rightfully Lauretta's. As Lauretta slipped the key into the lock, she felt a surge of anticipation. She never imagined she'd be here today, but she considered it necessary to send them a message that she was no longer their puppet. Lauretta's hand tightened around the keys as she approached the door; for a minute, her heart was filled with concern, but ignoring the sense of doubt, she inserted the key and pushed open the door, revealing Ashley lounging on the sofa. Ashley's eyes widened in shock as Lauretta entered. "What do you think you're doing here?" she spat, her voice filled with venom. Lauretta's jaw clenched, but she remained composed. "I'm here to collect what's rightfully mine," she replied evenly. Ashley's scoffed, her lips twisting into a sneer. "Yours? You've got some nerve, you fool, showing your face here after everything you've done," she hissed. "You really think you get anything from my son? I was told you refused to accept the properties assigned to you after the divorce. Was it all an act?" She said in mockery. "Keep your trash property to yourself, I'm sure it's barely enough for you", Juliana shuts her up. Ignoring Ashley's, Lauretta's gaze fixated on the ruby necklace adorning her neck; she reached out and unclasped it, ignoring Ashley's protests. Ashley's anger boiled over as she lunged for the necklace. "How dare you!" she shrieked, her voice echoing through the room." You thief. "She tried to retrieve it from Lauretta, but Lauretta was undeterred, deftly evading Ashley's grasp. Turning to Juliana, who stood nearby, she handed off the rubies. Juliana's eyes widened in surprise as she accepted the jewels. "I can't believe you gave this to her?" she said Lauretta's lips curved into a determined smile. "This necklace was a gift to me when I first married into this family," she finally decided to respond to Ashley. "But now, I'm reclaiming what's mine and I won't leave without collecting every other thing", she said, heading upstairs to the rooms. With a sense of satisfaction, Juliana turned and walked away, following Lauretta behind, leaving Ashley fuming with impotent rage. "Where the hell do you think you are going to? You have no right to be here; you have no right to anything in this house," she said, following after her, but Juliana and Lauretta turned deaf ears.