Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 356

"I just checked with the receptionist." Daisy placed the little whiteboard on the table. "You can temporarily reserve spots in the lounge. You write down the occupant's name and the time, and wipe it off when you're done. That way, people know someone is using it and when it will be free."

Leo stared at the whiteboard like it was a fascinating new invention.

"So I can't keep it forever?"

"Of course not." Daisy sat down. "Public spaces are for everyone to share. But when it's your turn, no one is allowed to just erase your name."

Leo lowered his head to think for a moment before whispering, "That's wonderful."

Daisy handed him a marker.

"Want to write it yourself?"

Leo took the pen, gripping it tightly. He slowly wrote on the board:

*Occupant: Leo Langford.*

*Time: 4:30 to 6:00.*

After finishing, he stared at it for a long time before adding a tiny line of text underneath.

*Do Not Change My Name.*

Daisy saw those words, a flicker of emotion passing through her eyes.

She didn't laugh, nor did she call it childish.

She simply handed him a magnetic tag.

"Stick it up."

Leo attached the whiteboard to the pillar next to the round table, stepping back to carefully check if it was crooked.

Phoebe spotted him as she walked by, pausing with her files.

"Well, look at that. Does Professor Langford have his own desk now?"

Leo looked a little embarrassed, the tips of his ears turning pink.

Daisy immediately chimed in, "Ms. Price, the reservation is only until six o'clock. Don't be late."

Phoebe played along, raising her files in surrender. "Understood. I'll come fight for the spot after six."

Leo ducked his head and smiled.

Standing in the doorway of the meeting room, Wren watched the entire exchange.

At that moment, a wave of profound tenderness washed over her.

Leo had his own room at the Langford Estate, a playroom, and a closet full of gifts from strangers. But all those places were branded with the Langford name. Living there was like being stuffed into a little box, constantly arranged and rearranged by the adults around him.

Now, with nothing more than a tiny round table and an erasable whiteboard, it felt like he finally had a corner of the world he could claim as his own.

Before the meeting started, Wren walked over and bent down to read the writing.

Leo blinked.

"I can tell my mom."

"Of course."

"I can tell Phoebe."

"You can."

Leo thought about it for another moment, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Can I tell my dad?"

Daisy didn't answer for him.

She nudged the paper closer to him. "That depends entirely on whether you want to."

Leo's marker stalled on the paper, the blue ink bleeding into a tiny dot.

"Will he think it's childish?"

Daisy unwrapped a mint but didn't eat it, simply rolling it around in her palm.

"When I was getting treated abroad, I kept this incredibly ugly rehab journal. It was covered in stickers and terrible drawings of my legs. Whenever people saw it, I was mortified."