Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 4

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Seeing Bonnie again felt like a miracle. Just being in the same room with her made Lawrence feel like every scar and bruise he’d carried for years was finally starting to heal.

She was quieter than ever before. Lawrence remembered how, back when they’d first gotten together, he’d thought Bonnie was almost too quiet. Her clear, almond-shaped eyes always said more than her words ever could. There was this cool distance about her when she wasn’t smiling, but when she did, it was like all the gentleness in the world was poured into one look.-

That smile though… it was only for him. Only Lawrence got to see the real Bonnie, the one who’d laugh until her eyes turned into shining crescents, who teased and pouted, and who could be so stubborn she made his head spin. She’d playfully fuss over the smallest things, whine, demand attention, and act like she ruled the world—and somehow, he always let her.

Outside, a pile of cigarette butts was growing by the trash bin. Lawrence just stood there, staring at the spot where Bonnie’s taxi had disappeared into the night. The restaurant door slid open a moment later and Hannah stepped out, holding Jasper’s tiny hand.

The memories faded, reality snapping back into focus.

“Lawrence, why are you still out here? You barely touched your food,” Hannah asked softly.

Lawrence stubbed out his cigarette. “As long as you and Jasper ate well, that’s fine by me. You two full? I’ll drive you home.”

Hannah blinked, caught off guard. “You’re not coming with us? We barely had any family time while we were overseas. Jasper was so excited to sleep with both his parents tonight.”

He reached for his cigarettes again, then remembered Jasper was right there and thought better of it.

“I made plans to catch up with some friends,” Lawrence said. “I’ll be with you and Jasper tomorrow.”

Hannah’s grip tightened on the strap of her purse, but she only nodded, her voice gentle. “Okay.”

He dropped Hannah and Jasper off at the Lane family house. He didn’t even get out—just waited until they disappeared through the gates before pulling away.

Lawrence drove to the Cabinda School staff apartments next. He’d lost count of how many times he’d dropped Bonnie off here, back when he knew every street and every shortcut by heart. Tonight, though, retracing his steps made him slow down. Everything looked the same, but it all felt different.

He wasn’t even sure if the Whites still lived here anymore. He didn’t know if Bonnie had moved back home after college, or if she was living on her own somewhere in the city.