Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 14

Jasper grew up with his grandparents and didn’t really know his parents that well. But for a toddler who’s just over two, the best thing in the world is having someone to play with.

His dad lifts him up high, zooms him around like an airplane, even carries him on his shoulders. Jasper loves it.

He nodded hard, a little voice full of joy. “Like!”

Lawrence smiled at that and turned to Hannah. “You should get some rest. I’ll put him to bed tonight.”

Hannah wanted to go along, but Lawrence had already scooped Jasper up and was heading upstairs. His steps were quick, and in a blink, they both disappeared up to the third floor.

Left alone under the crystal chandelier, Hannah stayed where she was, the room around her empty. Her eyes turned red at the edges.

She looked down at her feet, small and a little misshapen from years of dancing, tucked into soft slippers. Her toes were wrapped in fresh bandages.

Her wrist was wrapped too.

She’d hurt herself in practice again today.

Hannah remembered being ten, getting into the Cabinda School of Architecture and Design to learn ballet. Every day had been tough. She’d pushed through, grit her teeth, and collected more injuries than she could count.

Back then, whenever Lawrence saw her, he was so gentle, always worrying over her. “Hannah, slow down. You’re getting bruised all over. Even if you’re not hurting, we are.”

He’d grown from a clumsy boy to a teenager and now to a quiet, responsible man. And somewhere along the line, Lawrence had changed.

He stopped caring about her. Now he just seemed to avoid her altogether.

Hannah’s heart wouldn’t settle.

Being back in this country didn’t feel free like living in America did. When they were abroad, even if Lawrence was busy, he always found time to come home, always by her side when she needed it.

But now, living with his parents and with Jasper here, Lawrence just slipped away whenever he could.

It was the same last night. And again tonight.

With her jaw set, Hannah thought about Bonnie—pretty Bonnie, who was still single after three years apart and somehow could still make her ex restless and distracted at dinner.

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