Three Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 51

“Don’t touch that dirty thing!” Hannah’s voice was raw as she snapped, yanking the little clay dog from Jasper’s hands and throwing it hard to the floor.

Lawrence looked up, startled, but couldn’t stop her in time. The figurine shattered on the wooden boards. The head, which Bonnie had shaped so carefully, broke off and bounced up, smacking Jasper right on the forehead.

Jasper let out an ear-splitting wail that jolted them both.

“It hurts! I want Grandma! I want Grandpa! I don’t want Mommy or Daddy anymore…”

Hannah’s body swayed. She closed her eyes as her son sobbed and screamed. “Stop crying, Jasper.”

Lawrence was already kneeling, scooping Jasper into his arms. He checked the red spot on Jasper’s forehead, worry creasing his face. Jasper couldn’t stop hiccupping between sobs, still calling for his grandma.

Seeing the bruise start to bloom on Jasper’s forehead, Lawrence didn’t hesitate. He grabbed his phone and car keys, face tight with worry, and headed for the door.

Just before stepping out, he glanced back at Hannah, exhaustion all over his face. “I’ll take him to the hospital. Can we not do this right now?”

Hannah stood silent for a moment, then followed.

Jasper was inconsolable today. Between the scare and the bump on his head, he was more difficult than usual. Neither Hannah nor Lawrence really knew how to handle a child. By the time they got to the hospital, both were drained and at a loss.

In the end, with nowhere else to turn, they called Odette.

Odette arrived to find Jasper’s injury already treated and bandaged. He was still clinging to Lawrence, crying for his grandma. The tiny boy’s voice sounded desperate, and he wouldn’t let go.

She’d been raising Jasper since he was just a month old, and he’d always been such a sweet, well-behaved kid. Seeing him fall apart like this made her heart ache.

Taking Jasper from Lawrence’s arms, she rocked him gently and spoke soothing words. Before long, Jasper finally gave in and drifted off to sleep in her arms.

Holding her sleeping grandson, Odette looked at Hannah and Lawrence with exasperation. “You two can fight all you want, but don’t let Jasper get hurt. He didn’t grow up with you, so he’s never been that close. If all he sees is you two arguing, it’s just going to make things worse for him.”

Lawrence, tall and usually so composed, just sat in silence.

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