Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 37

Lawrence didn't say anything more and simply turned into his study.

He dialed Wren's number again.

Still no answer.

A third time, a fourth time.

Until the automated voice confirmed that the subscriber was unavailable.

Lawrence tossed the phone onto his desk, his face thunderously dark.

She actually dared to ignore him.

Back in her Riverside Apartment, Wren wasn't intentionally dodging his calls.

She had left her phone in the living room while she showered, and only saw the string of missed calls when she stepped out.

They were all from Lawrence.

And one was from Leo's smartwatch.

Her heart clenched, and she immediately called Leo back.

The call connected almost instantly.

"Mom?"

Leo's voice was hoarse and tiny.

Wren could tell he had been crying, and a sharp ache gripped her chest.

"Leo, what's wrong?"

Hearing her voice, Leo's tears started falling all over again.

"Mom, I had a nightmare."

Wren walked over to the sofa and sat down, keeping her voice incredibly gentle.

"What did you dream about?"

"I dreamed you didn't want me anymore."

A lump formed in Wren's throat.

She pressed a hand to her forehead, taking a few seconds to compose herself before saying softly, "Mom would never abandon you."

"Then why won't you come home?"

Wren closed her eyes.

Far too many people had asked her that exact question today.

Everyone seemed to equate returning to the Langford estate with loving her child.

As if by refusing to go back, it proved she didn't love Leo.

But she couldn't give her child an answer like that.

She could only say, "Mom just moved to a different place."

Leo sniffled.

"Then can I come live with you?"

Wren froze.

Of course she wanted to say yes.

She wanted to hold Leo as he slept, tuck him in, and make him breakfast with her own hands.

He had absolutely no grasp of what Willow's presence meant to their marriage, nor did he see any need to draw boundaries.

Even when his own son was so anxious it was triggering nightmares, he still insisted on letting Willow stay.

Wren took a slow, quiet breath.

"Leo, this is adult business. You don't need to worry about any of it."

"But I want Mom to come back."

"Mom knows."

Wren's voice was a whisper.

"Mom misses you too."

Leo hitched a sob.

"Then can you come pick me up tomorrow?"

Wren glanced at the stack of project documents on her table.

She had a critical experiment tomorrow morning and a major coordination meeting with the hospital in the afternoon.

In the past, she would have dropped everything without a second thought.

But now, she couldn't keep doing that.

She stayed silent for a few seconds before answering, "Mom will video call you tomorrow night, okay? And on Wednesday, we'll go out to eat, just like we promised."

Leo's voice dropped in disappointment.

"Okay."

It broke Wren's heart, but she still didn't change her mind.