Chapter 10: Chapter 10
702 words<html><head></head><body><p>Anna Ross's hand froze mid-air.</p> <p>Her fingertips trembled slightly.</p> <p>She looked up at her mother.</p> <p>Her voice was soft.</p> <p>"Nothing."</p> <p>"Nothing happened between us."</p> <p>Vivian Lowell wanted to ask more.</p> <p>Anna gently interrupted.</p> <p>"Mom."</p> <p>"Let's run away."</p> <p>This life was too unbearable.</p> <p>Adrian Sinclair's icy gaze.</p> <p>Her stepfather's endless schemes.</p> <p>Howard Lowell's abuse toward her mother.</p> <p>Each burden pressed down until she could barely breathe.</p> <p>Vivian paused.</p> <p>She reached out to tidy Anna's stray hairs.</p> <p>"Anna..."</p> <p>"Why say that so suddenly?"</p> <p>Anna forced her tears back.</p> <p>She swallowed all her grievances.</p> <p>Her mother had suffered enough.</p> <p>She couldn't add to her troubles.</p> <p>She held Vivian's hand.</p> <p>Her eyes were determined.</p> <p>"Mom."</p> <p>"We can live well without Howard Lowell."</p> <p>Her voice lightened slightly.</p> <p>"The jewelry and money he gave you before."</p> <p>"You saved it all, right?"</p> <p>"It's enough for us to start over somewhere else."</p> <p>Anywhere would do.</p> <p>As long as they escaped this living hell.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_4 --> <p>Vivian nodded gently.</p> <p>Howard had been generous early in their marriage.</p> <p>Expensive jewelry.</p> <p>Large sums of cash.</p> <p>She had secretly saved several hundred thousand over time.</p> <p>This money was her secret safety net.</p> <p>Originally meant as her daughter's escape route.</p> <p>She feared something might happen one day.</p> <p>Leaving her daughter with no one to rely on.</p> <p>Anna's eyes brightened.</p> <p>Her mother agreed.</p> <p>She had no more reservations.</p> <p>"I'll start preparing in the next couple days."</p> <p>"We'll leave as soon as we get a chance."</p> <p>Her work skills were solid.</p> <p>Supporting her mother would be more than manageable.</p> <p>But Vivian lowered her gaze.</p> <p>Her expression dimmed.</p> <p>Anna anxiously gripped her hand.</p> <p>"Mom?"</p> <p>"Are you feeling unwell?"</p> <p>She carefully checked her mother's body.</p> <p>Worried there might be other injuries.</p> <p>Vivian gently stroked her hair.</p> <p>Her voice was soft but firm.</p> <p>"Anna."</p> <p>"We can't leave yet."</p> <p>Anna's fingers trembled.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_5 --> <p>Why endure any longer?</p> <p>"Mom..."</p> <p>"Why?"</p> <p>Vivian looked at her with heartache.</p> <p>Her pale lips parted slightly.</p> <p>"Trust me."</p> <p>"I will take you away when the time comes."</p> <p>Anna wanted to press further.</p> <p>Vivian suddenly broke into violent coughs.</p> <p>Anna swallowed her questions.</p> <p>Her mother's health was too fragile.</p> <p>She couldn't add more pressure.</p> <p>Since her mother said so.</p> <p>She would wait a little longer.</p> <p>She forced a smile.</p> <p>"I'll listen to you, Mom."</p> <p>Vivian's heart ached.</p> <p>She pulled her daughter into an embrace.</p> <p>"My good girl..."</p> <p>"You've suffered too much."</p> <p>Anna patted her back gently.</p> <p>Just a little longer.</p> <p>She could endure it.</p> <p>After putting away the medical kit.</p> <p>Anna had calmed down.</p> <p>"Mom."</p> <p>"I'll get warm water to clean you up."</p> <p>Vivian nodded.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_2 --> <p>Watching her daughter's retreating figure.</p> <p>She sighed helplessly.</p> <p>Anna changed into simple home clothes.</p> <p>She tied her hair up casually.</p> <p>Without any makeup.</p> <p>She was still stunningly beautiful.</p> <p>She carried hot water through the living room.</p> <p>The servants watched with cold eyes.</p> <p>Some even whispered mocking laughs.</p> <p>Since the fake pregnancy incident was exposed.</p> <p>No one respected them anymore.</p> <p>Anna gripped the basin edge tightly.</p> <p>She hated their snobbery.</p> <p>But felt powerless.</p> <p>In this house.</p> <p>Without Howard's permission.</p> <p>No one cared about their well-being.</p> <p>She ignored their stares.</p> <p>Walking straight into her mother's bedroom.</p> <p>Vivian lay on the bed.</p> <p>Her eyes empty.</p> <p>Seeing her daughter.</p> <p>She finally smiled.</p> <p>"Anna."</p> <p>"Go rest."</p> <p>"You don't need to do this."</p> <p>Anna's heart ached.</p> <p>Those servants wouldn't come anyway.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_5 --> <p>She shook her head.</p> <p>"I don't trust others to care for you."</p> <p>"I want to do it myself."</p> <p>Vivian smiled helplessly.</p> <p>Having such a daughter.</p> <p>Made her life worthwhile.</p> <p>Anna helped her sit up.</p> <p>Gently wiping her wrists with a warm towel.</p> <p>After settling her mother to sleep.</p> <p>She tucked her in properly.</p> <p>"Mom."</p> <p>"Rest well."</p> <p>Vivian nodded with a smile.</p> <p>Anna kissed her cheek.</p> <p>Turned off the light and left.</p> <p>The moment the bedroom door closed.</p> <p>Her smile vanished.</p> <p>"I can't let Mom get hurt again."</p> <p>She clenched her jaw.</p> <p>Gently shutting the door.</p> <p>Phone in hand.</p> <p>Anna looked toward Howard in the living room.</p> <p>Howard enjoyed his tea leisurely.</p> <p>Legs crossed arrogantly.</p> <p>Seeing her.</p> <p>He shot a disdainful glance.</p> <p>"Your wretched mother isn't dead yet?"</p> <p>Anna's nails dug into her palms.</p> <p>The pain came.</p> <p>But she felt nothing.</p> <p>The power imbalance was too great.</p> <p>She couldn't touch him now.</p> <!-- /22796784223/Netlink/arkmoremoney.com/banner_in_article_3 --> </body></html>