Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 4

But as she kept yielding, she suddenly realized she had backed herself into a corner with nowhere left to stand.

Mr. Clarke's voice broke through the silence. "If you are certain, I can prepare an initial proposal for you tomorrow morning. Regarding child custody, you have been the primary caregiver, which is highly advantageous for your case."-

Her child.

Wren's eyelashes fluttered.

From the banquet hall, Leo's excited voice rang out.

"I want to give the first piece of cake to Willow!"

Immediately following was a chorus of good-natured laughter.

Someone said, "Leo really adores Willow."

Another chimed in, "She really knows how to spoil him. No wonder he's so attached to her."

Someone else joked, "If you didn't know better, you'd think Willow was his real mother."

Wren stood outside the doors, heard every single word.

She didn't push the doors open.

She didn't force a smile and wade into the crowd to pretend everything was fine, the way she used to.

She just stood there in silence.

Her chest felt like it was being hollowed out, scoop by agonizing scoop. The pain crested until nothing remained but a hollow numbness.

Mr. Clarke was still waiting for her response.

Wren slowly said, "Don't fight for custody yet."

The lawyer was visibly caught off guard. "Are you sure?"

Wren closed her eyes.

Of course she couldn't bear to lose Leo.

This was the child she had carried for ten months, nearly losing her life to bring him into the world.

When Leo was born, he was so tiny, his cries faint. The doctors said his lungs were underdeveloped and placed him in an incubator. The anesthesia from her C-section had just worn off, and despite the excruciating pain turning her face ashen, she had begged the nurses to wheel her over to see him.

Through the glass, she had watched tiny Leo lying there, hooked up to a tangle of tubes.

She had sobbed until she lost her voice.

Mr. Clarke didn't push the issue. "Understood. Would you be available to come to the firm tomorrow morning at ten?"

"Yes."

After hanging up, Wren stood frozen in place for a long time.

Until the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor.

"Wren?"

It was Willow's voice.

Wren turned around.

Willow stood just a few feet away, her white dress making her look as innocent as an unblemished flower. In her hand, she held a small slice of cake.

"Why are you out here all alone?" She frowned slightly, her tone dripping with manufactured concern. "Leo was just looking for you."

Wren stared at the cake in her hand.

A small scoop of frosting was missing from the top, likely the very piece Leo had excitedly fed her.