Chapter 793
Laney hesitated but reluctantly relented. “Do as you please. Live there if you want, but don’t bother me.”
She turned to leave with the trash, but George offered to help. “I’m free right now. Let me give you a hand.” ;
For the first time, Laney didn’t refuse.
Inside, Garrett exhaled a sigh of relief.
As they walked, he contemplated whether to explain the incident at the store to Laney.
By the time they disposed of the trash and returned to her doorstep, he still hadn’t mustered the courage.
Fearing Laney wouldn’t believe him, he hesitated.
Laney stood in front of her door, eyeing Garrett coolly. “Do you have something to say? If not, I’m going inside.”
After a few moments of silence, Laney furrowed her brow and turned to leave, feigning disinterest.
“Wait!” Garrett reached out, grasping Laney’s arm, his words tumbling out in a jumble. “I didn’t… I didn’t hit lan. He fell by himself. As for the divorce papers and wedding ring, he might have orchestrated it.”
His voice quivered, pleading, “Laney, can you please believe me?” Gazing into Garrett’s anguished eyes, Laney’s heart softened. “Alright, I believe you.”
His eyes sparkled with hope. “Really? You do? Then can we fire lan? I’ll help you find someone else…”
“Garrett.” Laney’s voice was weary. “I’m not going to fire lan.” The color drained from Garrett’s face as realization struck. “You’ve fallen for him?”
With composure, Laney replied, “It’s not love, but gratitude I feel towards him. During the darkest days of my life, lan cared for me and provided company. The pain from those times is etched in my memory. You, my husband, were never there.”
Waves of guilt surged through Garrett. His eyes brimmed with torment, and his lips quivered, unable to muster a defense. Laney offered a faint smile before continuing, “We’ve already accumulated countless misunderstandings. One more won’t change much. The crux of our issues is inequality. You and your family have constantly belittled, pitied, and manipulated me as if I were a mere plaything. I refuse to endure a life tethered to the whims of the wealthy and powerful, and I won’t subject my daughter to such insecurity.”
Garrett prepared to make a promise, but lan emerged from Laney’s house, cutting their conversation short.
His heart ached, as if pierced by needles.
So, Laney was already living with Ian… Garrett thought, disbelief welling up within him.
lan surreptitiously eavesdropped on the conversation between Laney and
Garrett from behind the door. Hearing Laney express gratitude rather than love towards him, disappointment washed over him.
Yet, he considered, gratitude was better than indifference. Perhaps it could blossom into love someday?
A glimmer of hope ignited within him. Purposefully, Ian emerged to not only interrupt Laney and Garrett’s dialogue but also to sow misunderstanding.
As anticipated, Garrett’s eyes betrayed a flicker of pain when he caught sight of Ian.
With a sly smile, Ian drawled, “Mr. Harding, don’t misconstrue the situation. Anya is still young, needing nighttime feedings and diaper changes. Mrs. Harding can’t handle it all by herself, so I’m staying here to help. Rest assured, I mostly spend time with Anya.” “I didn’t say anything,” Garrett retorted, face flushing crimson. Despite his protest, he couldn’t suppress his discontent. Muttering, he said, “There’s no reason for you to be with my daughter all the time.”
Hearing this, Laney scoffed, “As a father, how often have you taken care of your daughter? You’re clueless about her food or diapers. Ian has been a great caregiver. What’s your problem?” Chastised by Laney, Garrett found himself at a loss for words. Laney glared icily at her husband, sneering, “Finish the investigation quickly and return to Barnes. We don’t need you to cause any more trouble here, and I hope you won’t disrupt my life again.”
With that, she pivoted to leave.
Garrett, in a panic, grasped her wrist, attempting to explain, “I just want to…”
Laney hesitated, shook off his grip, and disappeared into the room without a backward glance.
Garrett yearned to follow her, but lan blocked the doorway. He then nonchalantly said, “Mr. Harding, it’s best that you not to enter someone else’s house without the owner’s permission.” Eyes blazing, Garrett glared at lan.
Unfazed, lan smiled and closed the door.
Staring at the now-shut entrance, Garrett’s heart ached.
He was Laney’s husband, yet he couldn’t even step inside her home. Blocked by an assistant, he wasn’t even afforded the dignity to be angry.
However, his sorrow didn’t extinguish his determination.
He gleaned from Laney’s demeanor that she still harbored feelings for him. She wouldn’t have seriously explained her emotions towards lan or become incensed at his neglect of their child otherwise.
His mission was to reclaim her affections before they waned entirely.
As Garrett mulled over how to win Laney back, a call from Natalie interrupted his thoughts.
Upon answering, Natalie inquired, “Did you go see Laney?”
“Yes, I’m at her place now. Your intel is impressive,” Garrett replied, arching an eyebrow.
Natalie rolled her eyes, retorting, “The whole of Barnes knows you ditched the Harding Group to chase after your wife in a neighboring city. I’m the last to find out.”
Unfazed, Garrett countered, “My wife is more important than the company. I’ll remotely handle its affairs until Laney forgives me.” Natalie shook her head, smiling. “Your impulsive nature hasn’t changed a bit.”
“Speaking of which.”
