Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 206

Lawrence scoffed.

"You're drawing quite the clear line now."

Wren shut the stove off.

"Because my failure to draw those lines is exactly what led us here."

The line went dead quiet.

She could perfectly picture his expression right now.

He was likely frowning, a storm of displeasure brewing in his eyes. He hated it when she talked to him this way. He loathed how she laid out every single boundary, as if reminding him that he couldn't just casually push her door open anymore.

After a while, he said, "I'll have someone prep the room."

Wren didn't bother correcting him.

Lawrence tacked on one more sentence. "Leo will be thrilled."

Those words finally stirred a faint pang in her chest.

She glanced out at the living room.

Leo was sitting at his little desk doing his homework. His back was ramrod straight, like a model student terrified of making a mistake. But his pencil hovered over the paper for ages, completely frozen.

Wren knew he was listening.

Children never truly tuned out the adults' phone calls.

She lowered her voice. "I'm going back because Leo needs a transition. Not because I have any desire to return to the way things were."

Lawrence's breathing hitched slightly.

He didn't agree, but he didn't argue either.

After a few agonizing seconds, he responded flatly, "Think whatever you want."

When the call ended, Wren stood in the kitchen for a long time.

The oatmeal was done.

The grains were soft and mushy, and the steam had fogged up the windowpane.

Leo slowly padded over to the kitchen doorway, pencil still in hand.

"Mom," he asked cautiously. "Are we going back to Dad's house?"

Wren turned around.

She walked over, crouched down in front of him, and gently took the pencil from his grip.

"We are going back for a little while," she said. "But I'll be right there with you. If you feel uncomfortable, tell me. If you get scared, tell me."

When the suitcase snapped shut, it made a sharp, definitive click.

Like a heavy door locking for good.

The next morning, the Langford family car idled downstairs.

The driver hopped out to pop the trunk, his demeanor even more respectful than before, yet habit forced the word out of his mouth: "Ma'am."

Wren didn't bother correcting him.

Leo stood beside her, tilting his head up to look at her.

She took his hand and gracefully slid into the car.

The second the car door shut, her phone vibrated.

It was a text from Lawrence.

"The master bedroom is untouched."

Wren stared at the words, her eyes devoid of any warmth.

She typed a brief reply.

"Not staying there."