Page 28 of Heartfelt Goals

“STOP IT RIGHT NOW, BOTH OF YOU!” Laurel’s voice shattered through the chaos, raw and commanding.

The room fell into stunned silence.

Laurel stood in the center of it all, her body trembling from the force of her own outburst. A small, choked sob escaped her lips, and she clutched her arms around herself as if she could hold the fraying pieces of her life together.

“I’ve hit my limit,” she whispered, voice cracking. “Time and time again, over the past few days, the past few weeks… and I think I’m finally done.” She lifted her gaze, eyes glistening. “No more yelling. No more threats. No more accusations. I can’t do this anymore.”

She turned to Kendall first.

“Go to your room.”

“But—”

“GO.”

Kendall hesitated, then huffed, stomping off in a flurry of muttered curses.

Then Laurel turned to Dustin. Her heart ached at the sight of him—at the anger, the frustration, the hurt etched into his face.

“You,” she murmured, voice barely above a breath, “get away from me.”

His entire body tensed. “Laurel?—”

“I need time. Weallneed time.” Her voice wavered, but her resolve held firm. “So please… just go.”

For a long moment, he didn’t move. Then, with a slow exhale, he stepped back, his jaw tight. Without another word, he turned and walked away.

As soon as the door clicked shut, the weight of it all crashed down on her. Laurel sagged against the wall, pressing a shaking hand to her mouth to smother the sob that threatened to break free.

This marriage was a mistake.

And she wasn’t sure how to fix it.

7

LAFRENIÉRE

“It didn’t work,”Dustin hissed into the phone angrily, feeling helpless, lost and confused. “I took your advice on the car, having the place ready, and it blew up in my face, Madeline…”

“That doesn’t make sense,” his sister began and hesitated. “Where are Kendall and Laurel now?”

“Kendall is in her room plotting my death – or my arrest – and Laurel told me to get away from her and…”

“Whoa!” his sister exclaimed in disbelief. “Hold the phone – what exactly happened?”

“Weren’t you listening? I set up the house, surprised her with a fancy SUV, and I even ordered vanity plates to make it look sweet and romantic, but it all fell apart. Kendall started yelling at me, and then I yelled back…”

“No – what did Kendall say?” his sister interrupted bluntly.

“She asked what I did to Laurel.”

“And whatdidyou do?”

“Nothing – and why are you taking the kid’s side?”

“Kendall is extremely protective of Laurel because that is all the child has left,” Madeline said tersely. “If she thought something was wrong, then let me tell you, that child is brokendeep down inside from losing her parents. She will do anything to keep from losing Laurel – which makesyoua threat.”

“How am I a threat?”

---