Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 228

After her birthday, the snow kept falling for days. Bonnie ended up staying at her parents’ place a little longer.

That morning, the snow finally stopped and the world outside looked like it belonged in a postcard. Everything was blanketed in sparkling white, but it was freezing out there. Bonnie clutched her bag and stood next to Shirley, both of them waiting for Bachelor to drive over and pick them up.

Bonnie tucked her face deep into her scarf. Just one breath of that icy air made her want to run back inside.

Shirley gave her a quick once-over, smoothing Bonnie’s hair behind her ear. “Your review schedule is so packed. If you aren’t totally prepared for the exam this time, why not give yourself another year? You could move back in and we’d help you out. No rush.”

Bonnie looked up with a smile that reached her eyes. “Mom, I think I’m going to be fine.”

She knew that if she failed, all those years of working part-time would feel like a waste.

Shirley paused for a moment, a bit surprised. In the three years since Bonnie left home, she had almost forgotten what it looked like when her daughter believed in herself. Back when Bonnie was still in school, she’d always claim she hadn’t done well on every single test, even if she came home ranked first in her grade. Every time Shirley asked how things went, Bonnie had the same answer—never good enough.

But after going to college, Bonnie started to shed some of that old self-doubt. She was definitely more confident now than she was as a kid. Shirley realized that Lawrence probably played a part in that change, slow and subtle as it was.

She understood now that life is always a mix of gains and losses, and nothing ever stays the same. Bonnie had taken some hard hits, but she was picking herself up again. At the very least, she’d found the strength to start over, not just in her studies, but in life and even her relationships. That made Shirley feel deeply relieved.

“Once you finish your test, have Aiken over for dinner again,” Shirley said. “Your dad and I both like him. He’s steady and really pays attention to you. He seems dependable. Your dad even asked around about him. Apparently Aiken’s really hardworking. If we help out a little and with his father’s connections, he could really get somewhere. He wouldn’t have to stay stuck at the bottom forever.”

Bonnie let out a faint sigh. “Mom, do you guys have to investigate people behind my back? Aiken and I are just getting to know each other. We’re not even close to that point. Even if we do end up together someday, you and Dad shouldn’t be interfering in his career.”

Bonnie had a feeling Aiken had his own ambitions. Once, over dinner, she’d caught a glimpse of him reading about internal promotions on his phone. He clearly had a plan.

Shirley shook her head. “We’re just thinking about your future. It’s tough starting a family with a partner whose job always keeps you on edge. Over time, you might run out of patience. If Aiken could work in the office and have an easier life, why not? You could both settle down with Jasper. Seems more stable.”

“Maybe Aiken’s family thinks the same way. Nobody wants their kid to constantly struggle…”

She glanced in casually and stopped in her tracks. Someone was sitting alone on a bench, both the bench and his clothes covered in snow.

At first, Shirley thought the guy might be frozen solid. He barely moved.

Something about him seemed familiar. Shirley squinted and edged closer, right when the man slowly lifted his head. His movements were sluggish, like he was underwater.

She stood there, caught off guard. For a second, she couldn’t believe who she was seeing. As she came up to him, Shirley’s expression turned stern. “Lawrence, what are you doing here?”

Lawrence got up, stiff from the cold, shaking off a sheet of snow. Even from a few steps away, Shirley could feel how frozen he must have been after sitting there all night.

His voice shook as he spoke. “Shirley, I came to apologize to you and Bachelor.”

He hesitated, then added in a softer voice, “But last night, I saw Bonnie taking out the trash. I couldn’t bring myself to go up. I didn’t want to bother her—the Bonnie who could laugh and say hi to the neighbors just going about her life.”