Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 42

It was a terrible feeling.

He stood up, his tone indifferent. "Let's head back."

Leo blinked in surprise. "But we haven't seen the space station exhibit yet."

"Next time."

The light in the boy's eyes dimmed.

He didn't throw a tantrum, simply standing up obediently.

But seeing the disappointment on his face only made Lawrence feel inexplicably more annoyed.

He rarely spent one-on-one time with his son before, so he never realized that a child's disappointment could be written so clearly across their face.

When they returned to the Langford Estate, Willow was already back, helping Eleanor set the table in the dining room.

Seeing them walk in, she immediately went to greet them.

"You're back? Did you have fun?"

Leo nodded, then muttered, "There was one exhibit we didn't get to see."

Willow smiled, trying to coax him. "Then I'll take you to see it next time."

But Leo replied, "I want Mom to take me."

Willow's smile froze again.

Eleanor frowned. "Leo, why are you being so unreasonable? Willow has been running around trying to keep you company, and you only care about your mother? If she really wanted to be with you, she would have shown up today."

Scolded, Leo lowered his head.

Lawrence didn't speak right away.

But Wren's words from last night echoed in his mind.

You are his father. You can't just remember that title when you want to criticize me.

His brow furrowed.

"Mom, that's enough."

Eleanor looked taken aback.

Lawrence glanced at Leo. "Go upstairs and wash your hands."

Leo nodded and ran up the stairs, hugging his backpack.

Willow stood there, saying softly, "Eleanor just feels bad for Leo."

Lawrence gave a brief hum of acknowledgment and didn't say anything else.

But as Willow looked at his profile, her sense of unease deepened.

He was starting to protect his son's feelings.

And he was starting to stay silent when Wren was criticized.

The changes were subtle.

But she could see them.

After dinner, Wren received a photo from Leo.

It was a picture of his science museum ticket stub.

In his childish handwriting, he had written a line on it:

Next time with Mom.

Wren looked at the photo and smiled softly.

Just as she was about to put her phone down, a message from Mr. Clarke came through.

Ms. Whitaker, I've compiled a checklist for securing fixed visitation rights. It would be best if you save recent records of your communication with the child, pick-up and drop-off arrangements, and any instances where the other party restricts visitation.

After reading it, Wren replied:

Understood.

She opened her photo gallery and saved the picture Leo sent today into a separate album.

A few files slid to the floor.

Among them was a brown manila envelope, landing right on top.

These were documents regularly couriered from the office to the house.

Lawrence bent down to pick it up.

When he saw the sender and recipient names, he froze.

Lawrence Langford.

Wren Whitaker.

He stared at the envelope for several seconds.

Just as he was about to tear it open, a knock came at the door.

"Dad."

Leo stood in the doorway, clutching his teddy bear, his eyes red.

"I can't sleep."

Lawrence's fingers went still.

A moment later, he casually tossed the envelope back onto the desk.

"Come in."

Leo walked in and asked quietly, "Can you read me the book Mom bought?"

Lawrence glanced at the envelope on the desk, then down at his son.

Finally, he picked up the book on space exploration.

The envelope was once again buried beneath the files.

This time, he was so close.

But that divorce agreement remained unopened.