Chapter 32
\nThree Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 32<\/p>\n
The late-night snack tonight was seafood porridge and a few savory pies.<\/p>\n
Felton showed up with a pink insulated thermos, handing it over to Bonnie. \u201cThis is the best porridge I\u2019ve ever had in Cabinda. You have to try it. If you like it, we should go to the place together next time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bonnie took the container, her smile bright and relaxed. \u201cThank you. You really didn\u2019t have to bring this all the way over…\u201d<\/p>\n
She paused, then looked at him, open and genuine. \u201cDo you want to sit down at the convenience store next door and eat together?\u201d<\/p>\n
Felton grinned. \u201cYeah, of course. Honestly, I thought you were about to invite me up to your place.\u201d<\/p>\n
He realized that probably came across too strong, so he hurried to add, \u201cI\u2019m just kidding. Really, I\u2019m not using this as an excuse to come over. Helen told me you have a sensitive stomach and rarely eat dinner. That\u2019s why I\u2019m here, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bonnie laughed, her eyes turning into crescents. \u201cI know, you don\u2019t need to explain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Felton suddenly looked a little shy, rubbing the back of his head. When you\u2019re hoping for something more, every interaction feels a bit charged. Especially with someone as beautiful as Bonnie. When she wasn\u2019t smiling, she seemed remote, almost icy, like she could be on the other side of the world. But when she smiled, it was like the whole room woke up for spring.<\/p>\n
They walked side by side to the convenience store. By the big windows, there was a long table with tall round stools. Bonnie and Felton sat next to each other, each of them holding a disposable bowl they\u2019d gotten from the clerk.<\/p>\n
Felton filled Bonnie\u2019s bowl to the brim, making sure she got all the shrimp and crab. He handed her disposable chopsticks, set napkins and wet wipes right by her side.<\/p>\n
He was careful. Thoughtful. Maybe a little too eager, but charmingly so.<\/p>\n
Across the street, Lawrence had arrived at exactly the wrong moment. He couldn\u2019t find a parking spot outside the apartment, so he\u2019d had to leave his car on the other side of the road. Now he just sat there, quietly watching.<\/p>\n
It was just past nine in Cabinda. The kinds of nights when young couples who\u2019ve just gotten off work sit in the convenience store, sharing porridge and bites of warm food, laughing, shaking off the weariness of the day. You\u2019d think they were dating. Or maybe even married.<\/p>\n
Just… don\u2019t leave her.<\/p>\n
Lawrence\u2019s heart felt like it was being split in two that day. Every word Bonnie said hurt more than the last. But what did he do?<\/p>\n
He\u2019d told her, \u201cBonnie, I\u2019m tired of this. You\u2019re so cold, so rigid, it\u2019s just not fun. I never loved you. I love Hannah, always have. I was only with you to get back at her. Please, just stop bothering me and my family.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the first time, Bonnie \u2014 who\u2019d always seemed serene and untouchable \u2014 looked at him with real hatred. The pain in her eyes was unforgettable. When she raised her hand and slapped him, Lawrence didn\u2019t even try to dodge.<\/p>\n
It barely hurt. Bonnie wasn\u2019t strong.<\/p>\n
But what hurt most wasn\u2019t the slap. It was when she said, \u201cLawrence, I hate you.\u201d That one sentence tore him apart inside, left him burning from the inside out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-700","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}