Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 208

But Wren simply stood there, refusing to even take off her coat.

She looked exactly like a temporary guest.

Or someone ready to grab her evidence and march right back out the door.

That was the exact moment Mr. Lawson's call came through.

Wren checked the caller ID and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window to answer.

Mr. Lawson's voice was sharp and professional. "The court's temporary communication guidelines were just sent over to both legal teams. I just finished reading them, and the phrasing works in our favor more than we expected."

Wren stared out at the koi pond.

The water was completely still. A few koi darted out from beneath the decorative rocks, only to instantly dart back into the shadows.

"How is it phrased?"

"The recommendation is for both parties to provide a stable, observable living environment for the minor child without altering the current state of the lawsuit. The primary focus is observing the parents' communication quality, the child's emotional fluctuations, and the extent of the elders' interference."

Hearing that last phrase, Wren glanced back at the living room.

Eleanor was aggressively questioning Leo about what he wanted for lunch. She sounded overly affectionate, but her eyes kept darting toward Wren.

"The extent of the elders' interference," Wren echoed.

"Exactly," Mr. Lawson affirmed. "That clause is huge for us. It means if the Langford elders continue to apply pressure or try to alienate the child, we will formally document it."

Wren lightly pressed her fingertips against the window sill.

The icy glass grounded her.

Mr. Lawson added, "I strongly suggest you start keeping a brief log today. Don't make it a diary, leave the emotions out of it. Just document the times, events, the people involved, and the child's reactions."

"Understood."

"And one more thing, don't try to shoulder this alone. The Langfords will do everything they can to drag you back into your old role. You are only there for the Observation Period. You are not resuming your marriage."

Wren lowered her eyes.

Those words acted like a lifeline, yanking her out of the suffocating familiarity of the living room.

"I remember," she whispered.

When she ended the call, she realized Lawrence had silently stepped up behind her.

He wasn't invading her space, but he was close enough to catch that last sentence.

"Mr. Lawson?"

"Yes."

Lawrence stared at her. "Your very first priority upon returning home is conspiring with your lawyer on how to build a case against my family?"

Wren instantly whipped her head around.

Her son was standing by the dining room entrance, holding a small bowl and looking utterly panicked.

Eleanor scowled beside him. "I told him to eat his soup, but he insisted on waiting for you."

Wren walked over, offering her son zero reprimands.

She crouched down, took the bowl from him, and immediately noticed it was fish soup.

Leo despised fish soup.

He had choked on a fishbone when he was younger, and ever since, the mere smell of it made his nose wrinkle in disgust. The Langfords always wrote it off as childish picky eating, assuming he'd get over it if they shoved it down his throat enough times. Wren was the only one who remembered. Whenever fish soup was served, she would preemptively swap his bowl for a clear broth.

Eleanor had either completely forgotten.

Or she had never cared to remember in the first place.

Lawrence walked over as well. He caught sight of the bowl, his brow twitching slightly.

He looked like he wanted to say something but choked on the words.

Wren placed the bowl back on the table and turned to the maid. "Please swap this for mushroom soup."

Eleanor’s face darkened. "Fish soup is good for brain development. You can't keep coddling the boy."