Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 542

Wren was not in the frame.

Lawrence looked at his son, his throat tightening slightly.

"Leo."

Leo nodded.

"Dad."

The opening was about to slide back into their familiar silence.

Lawrence's fingers brushed against the assignment paper in his pocket.

He paused and spoke up, "Your teacher said your interview assignment was very well written."

Leo's eyes flickered.

"Did you see it?"

"I did."

Lawrence fought back the urge to ask, "Why didn't you want to come back to the Langford Estate for dinner?"

He remembered what the instructor had said.

Do not explain.

Do not correct.

Do not ask about grades.

Just listen.

"Would you be willing to tell me about it?" he asked. "Your interview with Daisy."

Leo looked down at the assignment paper.

After a few seconds, he picked it up.

"I interviewed her about what she was afraid of."

"Mhm."

"She said she was afraid of surgery, and she was afraid of rehab."

Lawrence watched his son through the screen.

Leo spoke very slowly, pausing after every sentence, as if waiting to see if his father would interrupt.

Lawrence did not interrupt.

"She said being brave doesn't mean not crying," Leo continued. "It means after you cry, you're still willing to go back the next day."

Hearing those words come from the child's mouth felt lighter yet hurt far more than seeing them in a photo of his homework.

Lawrence asked softly, "Do you think she's right?"

Leo thought for a moment.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Leo pinched the corner of the paper.

"Because I used to think being brave meant you couldn't be scared."

He looked up at the screen.

"Dad, do you ever get scared?"

Lawrence froze.

The question was too sudden.