Chapter 51
\nThree Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 51<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t touch that dirty thing!\u201d Hannah\u2019s voice was raw as she snapped, yanking the little clay dog from Jasper\u2019s hands and throwing it hard to the floor.<\/p>\n
Lawrence looked up, startled, but couldn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
Jasper let out an ear-splitting wail that jolted them both.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt hurts! I want Grandma! I want Grandpa! I don\u2019t want Mommy or Daddy anymore\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Hannah\u2019s body swayed. She closed her eyes as her son sobbed and screamed. \u201cStop crying, Jasper.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lawrence was already kneeling, scooping Jasper into his arms. He checked the red spot on Jasper\u2019s forehead, worry creasing his face. Jasper couldn\u2019t stop hiccupping between sobs, still calling for his grandma.<\/p>\n
Seeing the bruise start to bloom on Jasper\u2019s forehead, Lawrence didn\u2019t hesitate. He grabbed his phone and car keys, face tight with worry, and headed for the door.<\/p>\n
Just before stepping out, he glanced back at Hannah, exhaustion all over his face. \u201cI\u2019ll take him to the hospital. Can we not do this right now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hannah stood silent for a moment, then followed.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In the end, with nowhere else to turn, they called Odette.<\/p>\n
Odette arrived to find Jasper\u2019s injury already treated and bandaged. He was still clinging to Lawrence, crying for his grandma. The tiny boy\u2019s voice sounded desperate, and he wouldn\u2019t let go.<\/p>\n
She\u2019d been raising Jasper since he was just a month old, and he\u2019d always been such a sweet, well-behaved kid. Seeing him fall apart like this made her heart ache.<\/p>\n
Taking Jasper from Lawrence\u2019s arms, she rocked him gently and spoke soothing words. Before long, Jasper finally gave in and drifted off to sleep in her arms.<\/p>\n
Holding her sleeping grandson, Odette looked at Hannah and Lawrence with exasperation. \u201cYou two can fight all you want, but don\u2019t let Jasper get hurt. He didn\u2019t grow up with you, so he\u2019s never been that close. If all he sees is you two arguing, it\u2019s just going to make things worse for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lawrence, tall and usually so composed, just sat in silence.<\/p>\n
After what seemed like forever, she left too. She drove to a nearby hotel and checked in.<\/p>\n
In the silent room, she pulled out her phone. Jackson\u2019s name popped up at the top of her messages. Her hand shook a little as she opened their chat, but she sent him a message anyway.<\/p>\n
He arrived about half an hour later.<\/p>\n
Hannah looked at him, her face unreadable. \u201cGo take a shower.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jackson hesitated, wanting to reach for her, but let his hand drop. \u201cI already showered after dance practice this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t respond. Instead, she turned, unzipping her dress. Jackson picked her up and carried her to the bed.<\/p>\n
He kissed her, gently at first, but Hannah turned her head, her voice hollow.<\/p>\n
\u201cTurn off the lights. The lube\u2019s on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-719","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/719","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=719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}