Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 21

Turns out the rumors were true. The moment you graduate, the matchmaking begins.

Bonnie gave them a small smile. “Sure, where’s he from?”

Since she didn’t seem against meeting anyone new, Helen lit up. She pulled out her phone and opened up a WeChat Moments feed for Bonnie to see. “This one, the tall guy. He looks decent, right? Way better than Ned.”

Ned let out a dry laugh.

“He’s from Montara, went to a technical university, then stayed in Cabinda after he graduated. His family’s pretty well off. Otherwise, he couldn’t have bought a place outright. He only dated once before but they broke up when she went to grad school out of town. If you’re interested, I can send him your contact.”

Bonnie nodded. She didn’t see a reason not to. Everyone’s got baggage, but it’s the future that matters.

Helen happily went off to make introductions. Ned picked up the bill and offered to take Bonnie home.

Since it was on his way, Bonnie accepted. They stepped out, but halfway to the door someone called Bonnie’s name.

It was Hannah.

Helen’s guard shot straight up, but Hannah just gave a gentle smile and motioned toward the potted plant by the window. “Is now a good time? I’d like to talk for a moment.”

Bonnie considered, then signaled to Helen to relax and followed Hannah over.

Up close, Hannah had a gentle scent to her, something soft that matched her perfectly—elegant and a little intimidating.

“I’ve wanted to talk for a while, just never had the chance,” Hannah said softly. “Jasper’s been sick these days, and Lawrence and I barely left his side. During the quiet moments, we reminisced. Suddenly it’s been three years already. Bonnie, do you... still blame Lawrence and me?”

Bonnie’s voice was calmly distant. “Just say what you came to say.”

Hannah blinked, then let out a small laugh. “You’re as cool as ever. Back then, Lawrence always said he could never get through to you, that you were too cold, like nothing could ever warm you up.”

Bonnie met Hannah’s eyes with a blank expression.

“Bonnie, honestly... Lawrence is someone who gets attached and takes responsibility seriously. He feels awful about what happened. One night, he hugged me so tight in his sleep, and even called your name. We argued about it.”

Hannah’s smile turned helpless. “But he said it’s guilt, and I understand. After all, you two were together more than a year. Whatever the reason it started, or ended, what you had was real. These past three years in America, he’s told me so many times he wished he’d actually talked to you before breaking up, instead of just disappearing. He was young, childish, lied. He knew you’d be stubborn, and kept putting off the whole thing. I was pregnant back then, too busy to care about anything else. I’m sorry it hurt you so much. So... can you forgive us?”

Hannah’s words were quietly sincere. “Or if there’s anything you want, just say it. Lawrence and I will try our best, whatever it is. It would help, so we don’t spend our whole lives feeling like we owe you.”

Bonnie was quiet for a long moment. She didn’t answer, but instead asked, “Hannah, have you not been happy these past few years?”

Hannah was caught off guard. Instinctively, she said, “Of course I’m happy. Lawrence treats me and our son really well. Why would you ask that?”

Bonnie’s lips curled in a faint, almost mocking smile. “Maybe you’d be happier if you stopped talking about his ex,” she said.

That left Hannah speechless, her fists clenched at her sides.

Bonnie nodded, ready to turn away, but Hannah suddenly spoke up again.

“Oh, there’s something else. Lawrence and I are planning another baby, so we’re going to have a wedding ceremony before I get pregnant. If you have time, you’re welcome to come.”

Bonnie didn’t respond. She just walked out.

...

Back at her apartment, Bonnie’s stomach twisted. She ended up throwing up everything she’d eaten that night.

Bonnie didn’t even notice the expensive Maybach parked close by.

She stood there for a second. Relief trickled in, but something squeezed at her chest. Finally, she let go, turned around, and went home.

Inside the car, Lawrence switched off the interior lights. He stayed perfectly still, not even breathing. He waited until Bonnie had completely disappeared, then let out a sharp, shaky exhale.

Pulled by something, he got out and walked over to the dumpsters.

The box was sealed under layer after layer of yellow tape, so many times it looked like it had been reopened and closed and reopened again.

Lawrence bent to pick it up, jaw tight.

It was heavy.

He rested it on one hip, propped it against the side of the car and opened the passenger door. When he glanced upward, he saw the security guard giving him a suspicious look.

Jasper’s illness had meant quite a few trips here lately, so Lawrence had only been here twice. Both times, the guard watched him like he was up to no good.

He ignored him, shoved the box inside, and drove to his place downtown.

He set the box on the coffee table. A utility knife sat close by, but he just stared at the box for ages, not ready to open it.

A long time passed before he finally sliced through the top.

Just one look, and Lawrence felt his eyes sting, throat ache. It was as if someone had gripped his heart in their fist and squeezed tight.

The pain crashed through him. All he could do was lean his forehead against the edge of the box and try to breathe.