Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 212

Wren took his hand. "Okay."

Lawrence stood frozen in place. After a few agonizing seconds, he said coldly, "Suit yourselves."

The two cars drove out of The Langford Estate one after the other.

Sitting in the backseat, Lawrence's gaze remained locked on the taillights of the car ahead.

Wren never used to be like this.

She used to sit beside him. She would remind him of the teacher's name and summarize Leo's recent updates into a few digestible bullet points for him. Once at the school, she would smooth over any awkwardness, making the teachers believe that while this father was incredibly busy, he was still deeply devoted.

Now, there was none of that.

She wasn't covering for him anymore.

Watching the city streets blur past the window, Lawrence suddenly realized he didn't even know which building Ms. Miller's office was in.

The thought made him incredibly uncomfortable.

He unlocked his phone and pulled up the text Wren had sent last night.

"8:30 AM, second-floor counseling room."

Just that one line.

No directions, no reminders, no "don't forget."

She texted him like a business associate.

At the school gates, Wren had already stepped out with Leo.

As Lawrence approached, he heard the security guard say warmly, "Leo's mother! Good to see you again today."

Wren nodded. "Thank you."

The guard then noticed Lawrence and clearly hesitated.

"And this is...?"

Lawrence's face darkened.

Leo spoke up softly, "My dad."

The guard quickly plastered on a smile. "Oh, Mr. Langford, right? Just sign in here."

A pen was shoved in front of him.

Looking at the visitor log packed with parents' names, Lawrence suddenly found the entire situation absurd.

He was Leo's father.

Yet he was entering the school like a total stranger.

Wren didn't explain on his behalf. She just stood to the side with Leo, waiting.

He finished signing and looked up at her.

Her expression was perfectly placid, as if this humiliation were the most normal thing in the world.

Ms. Miller was already waiting for them in her office.

The children weren't allowed to be present for today's session. Leo was ushered into a small adjoining room to draw. The door was left ajar, offering a glimpse of his silhouette.

Ms. Miller continued, "During the observation period, we need both of you to follow three rules. First, no arguing about the divorce, custody, or the Langford family arrangements in front of the child. Second, do not force the child into a position where he has to manage adult emotions. Third, family members must not project their own anxieties onto the child's choices."

She delivered the final rule softly, but it landed squarely on Lawrence.

He fell silent for a moment. "I will speak with my mother."

Hearing this, Wren finally looked up at him.

Her gaze made Lawrence deeply uncomfortable.

He quickly added, "The same goes for you. Stop constantly bringing up the divorce."

Wren didn't argue with him.

She simply turned to Ms. Miller and asked, "If the home environment becomes unsuitable for him to stay, can I terminate the observation period?"

Lawrence's face changed drastically. "Wren."

Ms. Miller glanced between them, choosing her words carefully. "If the child's emotional state visibly deteriorates, or if the environment continually triggers him, we will reassess. The observation period isn't about maintaining a superficial facade. It's about seeing if your genuine dynamic is actually beneficial for the child."

Wren nodded. "Understood."

Lawrence felt a suffocating tightness in his chest.

A superficial facade.

Those words completely stripped away the polished veneer of the Langford family.

When they walked out of the school, Leo was clutching a fresh drawing. Today, he hadn't colored the first house black. Instead, he had drawn a tiny doorbell by the front door.

"What's this?" Wren asked.