Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 43

By the time Lawrence finished reading the space book to Leo, it was nearly eleven-thirty.

The boy had cried earlier, ran around the science museum all afternoon, and finally couldn't hold out any longer, drifting off to sleep.

His small hand was still gripping the corner of the book Wren had bought.

When Lawrence tried to pull the book away, he paused.

There was a sticky note attached to the inside cover.

It was Wren's handwriting.

Leo, when you get to this page, you can ask Dad: Why do rockets have different stages?

She had drawn a tiny smiley face at the end.

Lawrence stared at that line for a long time.

Wren had clearly anticipated that he would be the one reading this book to their son.

It wasn't that she hadn't given him chances.

He had just never bothered to take them before.

The thought lingered for only a second before he pushed it down.

Lawrence closed the book, tucked Leo in, and quietly left the child's bedroom.

Back in the study, that brown manila envelope was still sitting under the files.

He should have opened it.

But his phone rang first.

The caller ID showed it was Willow.

When Lawrence answered, his tone instinctively softened a bit.

"What's wrong?"

On the other end, Willow's voice was low, sounding like she had just been crying.

"Lawrence, did I do something wrong?"

Lawrence frowned. "Who said that to you?"

Willow stayed silent for a moment before replying softly, "No one said anything. It's just that Leo didn't really want me around today, and Wren seems to hate that I'm staying at the estate. I thought about it, and maybe I really shouldn't be here."

Lawrence walked over to the window.

The night sky reflected against the glass; his expression was indifferent, but not impatient.

"You're overthinking it."

"But I don't want to make things difficult for you." Willow's voice trembled slightly. "Lawrence, I know I have no right to stand in Wren's place. I just... I've just envied her since we were kids."

Lawrence remained silent.

As if unable to hold back, Willow let out a soft, bitter laugh.

"She has everything. Her status as the eldest Whitaker daughter, an incredible mother like Vivian, and then she married you. Everyone thinks she has the perfect life. But what about me? It feels like I'm always destined to be in her shadow."

Listening to her, Lawrence's gaze darkened slightly.

He didn't like it when people put themselves down like that.

"Willow," Lawrence finally spoke. "You're no worse than she is."

The other end of the line went noticeably quiet.

Willow's breathing grew shallow.

"Lawrence..."

Lawrence's tone was steady. "Keep working on the recovery project. If you need funding or personnel, go straight to Xavier."

Willow seemed stunned.

"But the budget for this project is huge."

"I'll have the philanthropy department approve a dedicated fund just for you."

"Lawrence, isn't that inappropriate?"

"There's nothing inappropriate about it," Lawrence said coolly. "You have the capability, and you've delivered results for the company. I'm giving you these resources because you earned them."

After he said that, there was a long silence on the line.

A moment later, she whispered, "No one has ever believed in me like this before."

Gripping his phone, Lawrence's expression softened a fraction.

"They will from now on."

Willow's voice hitched with suppressed emotion. "Lawrence, why are you so good to me?"

She asked the question so quietly.