Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 375

Daisy: "Julian, you're just in time. Leo is checking if we're taking our 'pause' seriously."

Julian's eyes crinkled with a smile.

He changed his shoes and stepped inside, hanging near the edge of the living room rather than coming all the way in.

Leo looked at him, as if remembering his drawing.

"Julian, wait a second."

He ran over to the small table, pulled a rolled-up piece of paper from his backpack, and handed it to Julian.

"Look at this."

Julian bent down to take it. "Can I open it?"

Leo nodded.

The drawing unrolled.

A secret base, a small table, The Interactive Nameplate, a pause button, Daisy, Wren, and The Tiny Figure in a white coat knocking on the door.

Next to the figure was a scribbled question: Can I come in?

Julian stared at it for a long time.

He looked up at Leo, his voice gentle.

"Can I come in today?"

Leo looked a bit shy, his fingers picking at the seam of his pants.

"You're already in."

Phoebe was trying so hard to hold back her laughter in the kitchen that a plate clattered against the counter.

Daisy just collapsed against the sofa in a fit of giggles.

Leo's face turned even redder, but he started laughing too. It wasn't his usual people-pleasing smile, nor was it out of fear of an awkward silence. He was genuinely amused by the adults' reactions—a brief, radiant burst of joy.

Wren stood nearby, her eyes warm with affection.

The apartment was small, the lighting ordinary. There was leftover fruit on the dining table, scraps of paper scattered across the rug, and the sound of running water echoing from the kitchen.

But in that moment, Julian suddenly felt that this place felt more like a safe haven—somewhere a person could truly rest—than any sprawling, brightly lit mansion.

He rolled the drawing back up and handed it to Leo with solemn respect.

"Thank you for showing me."

Leo hugged the paper to his chest and nodded.

"You can draw a pause button next time, too."

"Deal."

As the clock neared eight-thirty, a video call from Lawrence came through.

Wren glanced at the screen.

Today was his scheduled video visitation time.

The chatter in the room instantly died down.

Julian naturally took a step back toward the door.

"We should head out."

Hearing his tone, Leo's body visibly stiffened.

Wren noticed.

She didn't answer Lawrence immediately, turning to her son instead.

"Leo, your dad is asking about adult matters. You don't have to answer."

Leo nodded, his fingers slowly relaxing their grip on the drawing.

Only then did Wren look back at the screen.

"Daisy had dinner here, and Dr. York came to pick her up."

Lawrence let out a faint scoff.

"You certainly have everything perfectly arranged."

Wren's voice remained calm. "This is your scheduled time with Leo. Do you want to talk to your son, or interrogate me about my guests?"

Lawrence glared at her.

On the screen, Wren sat under the warm glow of a lamp, her hair tucked loosely behind her ears. The apartment behind her was small, but it was filled with the lingering warmth of guests, shared meals, and laughter.

Leo sat beside her, clutching his drawing, his eyes still sparkling with a joy that hadn't completely faded.

It was an expression Lawrence rarely saw these days.

The boy was always so cautious around him.

But here, with Wren, Julian, and Daisy, he was slowly coming to life.