Chapter 78
\nThree Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 78<\/p>\n
\u201cCandie\u2026\u201d The voice on the other end sounded low and heavy, weighed down by something Bonnie didn’t want to face.<\/p>\n
Her good mood fell straight through the floor. She hung up on him right away, jaw tightening, and stared at the food in her bowl. She couldn\u2019t eat another bite.<\/p>\n
Lawrence had said it himself: as long as she stopped going on those awful blind dates, he\u2019d leave her alone. Yet here he was, calling again. Would it never stop?<\/p>\n
She checked the call log. The number was local but unlisted. Annoyed, she blocked it. Only then did she feel the tiniest bit of satisfaction.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Lawrence wasn\u2019t giving up so easily. Every call was met with a busy signal, but he dialed her over and over, still hoping she\u2019d pick up.<\/p>\n
He stepped outside into the yard, looking up at the night sky. It was supposed to be a night for families, for finding your own moon, but he couldn\u2019t even see his.<\/p>\n
Jasper came bounding out of the villa, arms thrown tight around Lawrence\u2019s leg. \u201cDaddy, I can recite a poem! Mommy told me to say it for you!\u201d<\/p>\n
Lawrence pulled himself from his thoughts and picked Jasper up. In just over a month, Jasper would be three\u2014prime age for chattering nonstop. He\u2019d just gotten over a cold from Lawrence, had spent days feeling miserable, and now seemed to be making up for lost time, energy spilling everywhere.<\/p>\n
Jasper\u2019s voice was clear and bright as he recited his poem, head bobbing with pride.<\/p>\n
Lawrence hugged him, his gaze drifting up to the faraway moon. He barely heard the poem, lost in thought, but forced out a smile. \u201cThat\u2019s amazing, Jasper. You already know such a long poem.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jasper\u2019s face glowed with excitement and he started jumping, wanting to play soccer. Lawrence joined in without much enthusiasm, only stopping when Hannah\u2019s gentle voice called from behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cLawrence, Jasper\u2019s still getting over his cold. Don\u2019t let him get sweaty,\u201d she reminded him.<\/p>\n
Lawrence stopped, wiping the sweat from Jasper\u2019s brow. Hannah walked over, scooped her son into her arms, and brushed a kiss across his cheek. She stood with Lawrence, looking every bit the gentle mother.<\/p>\n
\u201cJasper, want to watch the moon with us?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
But Jasper was not interested. Soccer, cars, running wild\u2014anything but moon gazing. He wriggled in her arms, impatient to be set down. No three-year-old wanted to snuggle all night. With a gentle sigh, Hannah put him on the ground.<\/p>\n
Seizing his chance, Jasper grabbed Lawrence\u2019s hand and tugged him toward the stairs. \u201cDaddy, let\u2019s go play Car Superheroes!\u201d<\/p>\n
Lawrence shut his eyes, steeling himself. He grasped her arm and gently pushed her away. He couldn\u2019t see her face, and he didn\u2019t want to.<\/p>\n
But Hannah was persistent. She slipped back toward him, holding him close, lips searching for his neck and jaw, desperate for connection. Again, he pushed her away.<\/p>\n
He turned on the light. The room was suddenly too bright, and there was Hannah. She wore a black V-neck slip dress with a low neckline and a hem so short it barely covered the tops of her legs. One thin strap had slipped off her shoulder, leaving her looking vulnerable and exposed.<\/p>\n
Lawrence looked away. \u201cI need to go to work early tomorrow. Try to get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
His voice was flat, not a single trace of emotion or hesitation, and he wouldn’t meet her eyes. The coldness hit Hannah like icy water in the dead of winter. She started to tremble.<\/p>\n
Before the Lane family took her in, Hannah had been raised like a princess\u2014born into wealth, always proud, always certain. Everything fell apart, and the Lanes gave her shelter, warmth, and dignity. She\u2019d never really suffered a day in her life.<\/p>\n
Pride and self-respect were woven into her, just as much as anyone else\u2019s. But every rejection, every cold shoulder, was slowly breaking her apart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-746","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/746","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=746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}