Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Lauren said, "Funny thing, Andrew-you probably don't know this, but my mom's been all about dressing up lately. For the longest time, I only ever saw her in simple outfits. She never really cared about appearances.

"But now, she's all glammed up and polished! If you didn't know better, you'd think she was dating someone!"

Andrew did not know how to respond, so he stayed quiet.

He had a pretty good idea why Tiana suddenly started caring about her looks. It was probably because his presence reminded her of her first love—his father.

Even though he was not the man himself, they were still father and son. Much like Aspen, Tiana clearly had something not quite right going on in her head. Only someone like her could project her feelings for a man onto his son.

Nonetheless, no matter how he looked at it, Andrew just could not shake the weirdness of it all. After all, this woman was supposed to be his future mother-in- law, and yet, she was just a little off.

Not that Tiana acted completely shameless or unhinged, but she definitely was not your average respectable elder either.

Lauren chuckled and said, "Andrew, I don't think I ever told you this, but before my mom married my dad, she had a first love. She was crazy about him—like, absolutely head over heels."

"The whole Lambert family was on edge back then because of how heartbroken she was," she went on.

"She was devastated when it ended-so much so that she nearly flipped the whole house upside down."noveldrama

Andrew muttered to himself, 'Yeah, and that guy she was heartbroken over? Pretty sure that was my dad.'

Lauren continued, "But he really did a number on her. And around that time, our family and the Lamberts were trying to build stronger ties. My dad was pursuing her, and she was so hurt and furious that she married him out of spite."

Lauren paused for a moment, her expression softening with emotion. "She was dead set against the two of us for a long time, and honestly, a big part of it had to do with what she went through back then.

"She didn't want me to repeat her mistakes. She just wanted me to marry into the Driscolls, live worry-free, and have a privileged, secure life."

Andrew hesitated, then carefully asked, "Lauren... do you think your mom still has feelings for that first love?"

Lauren laughed. "Dr. Lloyd, you're such a dummy. First love always holds a special place in a woman's heart It doesn't matter how it ended-most women never truly forget their first."

"So you're saying... your mom still has feelings for that guy?" Andrew asked. "Most likely," Lauren replied, her tone thoughtful. "She's never said it out loud, but I'm her daughter-I can tell what she's thinking, even if she tries to hide it."

"But honestly, I don't think she should be clinging to that memory anymore. Compared to my dad, that guy doesn't even come close!" she added with a scoff.

Andrew held back a sigh, thinking to himself, 'Lauren, I love you, but I have to say it—my dad might just be a tiny bit better than yours.'

Lauren then bared her teeth in a mock-angry grin and said, "If I ever get the chance to meet that guy from my mom's past, I'm totally slapping his son!"

Andrew blinked. "Wait, what? Slapping his son? Why? That's such a reach. Did his son do something to you?"

Lauren crossed her arms and

huffed. "No, he didn't! But think

about it, Andrew-my mom's old

technically my elder, sq

flame is t

can't stap him. But I'm the younger generation, right? If I'm gonna help my mom get some closure, it's only fair I slap his kid instead for karma."

Andrew literally had no comeback for that.