Expressionless, Laurence stood at the door with his arms firmly pressed against it. Everything Janet said was true, and Laurence couldn’t argue with her. He calmly swallowed the taste of blood in his throat and said, "Ms. Fulton, I apologize for the intrusion. It was not my intention. However, there is something I must say to her in person."Even when Janet was indifferent in her words, she rarely made anyone feel uncomfortable. Her good manners over the years prevented her from uttering particularly harsh words. "She wouldn't want to see you. I hope you can exercise some discretion. Divorced couples shouldn't be seeing each other regularly."The words "divorced couple" felt like a dagger piercing to the heart.Laurence remained composed, but he subconsciously pressed his lips together. "Although we're divorced, we ended things on good terms. It doesn't mean we can't see each other."Realizing that he wouldn't get any answers from Janet, Laurence stopped questioning her. Tracki
Laurence stood rooted to the ground, not far away. He couldn't find the energy to step forward. His gaze lingered on Zoey’s protruding belly for a long time as if trying to get a closer look. The sunlight illuminated his increasingly pale face, reflecting a vivid image in his eyes. He remained silent, not wanting to disturb her.Although Zoey felt sore and swollen, she couldn't lie in bed all day. Moderate walking was beneficial for pregnancy, and over the past few months, she had gradually developed an emotional connection with the child in her belly. She finally understood why parents were willing to sacrifice everything for their children. Some love truly was unconditional.Although Jared would often boast that he was the child's father, he didn't dare touch her belly. It was as if her abdomen was fragile, and he was afraid of accidentally causing her harm. However, the baby in her belly was well-behaved. It wasn't picky with food and rarely kicked.Spring was about to arrive in
It wasn’t important, so Zoey did not have to listen to what Laurence was saying. She didn’t think he had anything nice to say to her anyway. He had always been mean. His words made her uncomfortable even when he spoke calmly.They were both silent for a long time, as if they were in a standoff.Zoey waited patiently. Laurence stood still as if he had no intention of leaving. He was blocking the way.“We’re going out to eat,” she hinted politely.Rose was right in saying that Zoey was soft. She never liked causing a scene. She always tried to compromise with others, so most people often thought she was a pushover.Laurence acted as if he hadn’t heard her. He stared at her with frosty eyes and asked, “If it’s not my child, then who’s the father?”Zoey was prepared to answer this question but remembered how Uncle Jason had called her bluff on the first day. She didn’t think things through. Jared was too young and childish. It wouldn’t seem convincing if she said he was the father.
Laurence stayed in Southgrove for a few days. He watched as Jared entered and exited Zoey’s house. He would leave for work in the morning and get off punctually in the evening. Then, he would shop for groceries before heading back to Zoey’s place. Zoey had made the right choice and picked a man that seemed to be devoted to her. He seemed more like her nanny than a boyfriend.Laurence did not want to believe she was pregnant with another man’s child. He remembered how opposed she had been to the idea of them having a child. She had rejected him so adamantly. He had always caught her buying birth control. He never thought of fooling her. When he brought her to the hospital, he had also bought her birth control. He never thought of deceiving her. Laurence asked his subordinates to check with the hospital where Zoey got her health checkups. Soon, he received her medical reports in his email inbox. They included a few maternity reports. He stared at the reports stating she was four month
Mrs. Scott fell silent. She never expected this would happen, but it made sense. Now that they were divorced, they were both free to do whatever they wanted. She was at a loss for words. Were Laurence and Zoey really not meant to be?Laurence swallowed and said dejectedly, “It’s too late, Mom.”He finally understood what his heart wanted, but it was too late. He was finally willing to confess his love for someone he had looked down on in the past, but it was too late. He only understood now why he said so many hurtful things to her. He had done it all in an attempt to get her attention. In those short moments he had hurt her, he was the only one on her mind. And so, he hurt her over and over again. It was sick, but that was how he treated someone he loved but couldn’t have. He was hurting them both at the same time. Mrs. Scott couldn’t bear lecturing Laurence as she watched his red and teary eyes. “You reap what you sow,” she said curtly. There was nothing she could do. She and her
Jared had moved into Zoey's house in Southgrove.Zoey couldn't turn him away. He claimed the other interns at work were ostracizing him and that he was being bullied in the staff dormitory. He had nowhere else to go, so he turned to Zoey for shelter. His sincere eyes told Zoey he was not a deceitful person.Trying to appeal to her emotions and persuade with reason, Jared explained, "Your ex-husband seems like a problematic devil. What if he comes looking for you again when I'm not by your side? Will you be able to handle him? Can you deal with him on your own? Our lie might not seem very convincing if we stay apart. It's rather unusual for an engaged couple to live separately."However, Jared also realized how impulsive his proposal had been. He raised his palm and swore, "I promise to be well-behaved and not cause you any trouble. You can stay on the first floor while I stay on the second. I'll bring you tea and draw your bath. What do you say? Just out a poor soul. I can pay rent.
Zoey was trimming the branches of the plant on the windowsill when her scissors froze mid-air. A moment later, she nodded as if nothing had happened. She asked Jared casually, "Are you talking about Laurence?"Jared watched the change in her expression and hummed a muffled reply.Zoey set the scissors down. "Maybe..."Maybe he had come looking for her. Maybe not. But did it matter?Laurence began showing up more often. Every night, Zoey would stroll along the alley, from her doorstep to the entrance of the alley. A short walk not only helped her meet her weekly activity requirements, it was also beneficial in preparation for the birth.Jared showed up each night to keep her company on her walk, in case she tripped or fell. This Friday, however, he had a company dinner to attend. He informed her he would be late. Zoey made her way to the alley on her own. As she passed by a patisserie, she noticed Laurence's car parked outside it. This seemed like a personal matter—none of his bo
This love did not need any reason. It was all senseless. It was unconditional. It was different from the love he had for Sarah. It was not what he felt for her when they had to depend on each other. When it came to Zoey, it was only fondness. Nothing else was mixed within, though he had probably discovered it a little too late. It sounded ridiculous saying it out loud after having hurt her so miserably. However, it was undeniable—love that came late was still love.Hearing him say those words, Zoey was momentarily stunned. Laurence Scott just said he had feelings for her. A sour drizzle started pouring in her heart, the torrential rain dousing her once fervent love for him. Even after hearing the one thing she had longed for the most, she felt nothing. Instead, she couldn’t help but question his motives.What else did he have up his sleeve? She was no longer of any use to him, was she? And even if he did want to exploit her again or force her to do something against her will, he