Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 342

He offered it naturally, completely devoid of the self-congratulatory tone of someone doing a grand favor.

Wren glanced at the rain, then down at the robot box Leo was holding.

Leo spoke up softly, "Mom, the box will get wet."

Daisy immediately pulled a reusable tote from her bag. "Put it in here."

The boy slid the box inside and hugged it tighter to his chest.

Wren decided not to force a useless point of pride.

"Thank you, then."

The car ride was peaceful.

Daisy rode in the passenger seat, while Leo and Wren sat in the back. The boy had talked more than usual today, and exhaustion quickly caught up with him. He kept nodding off until he finally rested his head against Wren's arm, fast asleep.

Julian caught sight of them in the rearview mirror and eased his foot off the gas.

Wren gently zipped up Leo's jacket.

Outside the window, the city's neon lights blurred into long streaks in the rain, making the world look like it was trapped behind frosted glass. For a brief second, she flashed back to years ago.

When she and Lawrence first got married, she used to think that a quiet car ride was the ultimate hallmark of a peaceful life.

She later learned that there were many different kinds of silence.

One kind was the paralyzing fear of saying the wrong thing.

The other was the absolute comfort of not having to explain yourself, knowing you wouldn't be misunderstood.

When they reached the intersection outside her apartment complex, the rain was still falling.

Julian stepped out to hold the umbrella for them, angling it heavily toward Wren and Leo, letting his own shoulder get soaked in seconds.

Wren noticed and reached for the handle.

"I've got it."

Julian let go without a fuss.

"Let me know if there are any updates on Channing Road tomorrow."

"I will."

Leo roused slightly, giving a sleepy wave.

"Bye, Dr. Julian. Bye, Daisy."

Daisy leaned over to look out the window. "Don't forget to tape your pause button to your desk!"

Leo nodded.

"Your dad's emotions are his own problem to handle."

Leo blinked.

Wren folded his small hand into her palm.

"Let's go home."

The hallway lights flickered on, casting a warm golden glow over their path.

At that exact moment, Lawrence was sitting in the back of his car, burning a hole through that photo.

He saw Julian's drenched shoulder, he saw the relaxed look in Wren's eyes as she took the umbrella, and he saw Leo standing between them without an ounce of his usual defensive posture.

The image felt like a physical blow to his chest.

He gripped his phone so tightly his knuckles turned white. The screen timed out, and he aggressively tapped it awake again.

The driver asked cautiously, "Mr. Langford, are we heading back to the office?"

Lawrence didn't answer.

Rain streaked down the window, slicing the blurry silhouette of his retreating family into jagged pieces.

The space right next to Wren was already being filled by someone else.