Garrett pursed his lips and nodded,his frustration evident.
Laney burst into laughter,tears pooling in her eyes.”You fool,the noise was so loud!Did you really think the Darkmoon was chasing us with tanks?”
Hearing Laney’s hearty laughter,Garrett felt his cheeks burn.He hung his head,wishing he could disappear rather than endure the embarrassment.
After some time,Laney managed to wipe away her tears and stifle her laughter.”Alright,let’s head back.”
“Laney.”Garrett suddenly gripped her hand, halting her with a soft plea.
Laney looked up at him,meeting his sorrowful gaze.Garrett muttered in a low voice,”Am I really that stupid?I can’t seem to do anything right.I’m nothing more than a burden to you..
I only cause you pain..”
Garrett’s unusual vulnerability caused a twinge of sympathy in Laney’s heart.For the first time since their separation,she took the initiative to hold his hand.A sincere smile lit her face as she softly told him,”Don’t you realize?You’re actually very brave.”
“Really?”Garrett lifted his gaze to meet hers, holding onto her reassuring smile.
Laney nodded earnestly,her own smile broadening.”When the explosion happened,I saw how ready you were to protect me.And in the lab earlier,if you hadn’t fearlessly shielded me,I could have been disfigured.All these instances show your bravery.”④
Laney’s gentle encouragement lifted Garrett’s spirits.Despite the throbbing pain in his body, he managed to muster a radiant smile.”I’ll strive to change for the better.”a “Go for it,I believe in you,”Laney encouraged with a beaming smile.
“Then..Can you give me another chance?”
Gathering his courage,Garrett clung to her soft hand and poured out his heart.”I’ll strive to be the perfect husband.Would you come back to me,give me a chance to look after you and our child?”
Laney was taken aback.”Garrett…”
“Don’t reject me just yet,”Garrett interjected nervously,terrified of any signs of refusal from her.”I swear,I won’t disappoint you this time. I vow,I won’t let anyone harm you again..
Please..Give me another chance…”
His voice dwindled to a pleading whisper.
“Don’t turn me away,Laney…”
He was frightened.Fearful of rejection.Terrified of seeing revulsion in Laney’s eyes.In that moment,he shed all his pride,pleading meekly.
He just yearned for a chance and her forgiveness.
With a complex look in her eyes,Laney opened her mouth to speak,but found herself at a loss for words at the sight of Garrett’s humility.
From the time she got to know and fell in love with Garrett,he had always been a wealthy, spirited young man.She had never witnessed him this humbled.
Her heart ached,the pang serving as a reminder of her sympathy for Garrett’s humility, making it impossible to decline his request.
But…she couldn’t reconcile wit+h9inasoi .
Fear and resistance still gnawed at her..
She feared that the pleasant moment before her was merely an illusion,and she resisted the possibility of what could transpire if she returned to Garrett’s side.
She couldn’t bear to revisit those gloomy days that made her feel like a captive.
Laney often dreamt about her pregnancy,a period that marked the darkest phase of her life and brought her the closest to death.
She vividly remembered how Kailee had deceived her,leading to a severe hemorrhage that nearly ended her life on the operating table. She recalled how Garrett’s parents had pressured her, leading to postpartum depression and a faint hope for survival.
And the root cause of all this turmoil was Garrett’s failure to intervene.2
She found it impossible to reconcile with Garrett without holding any grudges.Although her heart softened in the face of his pleas,she yearned to break free.
“Garret…”After mulling over it for a while, Laney slowly withdrew her hand.
Garrett’s anxiety and anticipation instantly came to a chilling halt.His discarded hand trembledslightly,his palelipsquivering.”Laney. Are..Are you going to reject me?”
“I don’t know how to offer you another chance, nor do I have a clear vision of our future,”Laney uttered softly,averting her gaze.She couldn’t bear to witness the pain in Garrett’s eyes.
After departing from Barnes,they had spent significant time together,day in and day out. She had noticed the changes in Garrett.It wasn’t that she didn’t wish to reconcile,nor was it a lack of desire to forgive him.It was just that every time she contemplated forgiving him, the agonizing past would flood her mind, compelling her to recoil.
She was at a loss…She genuinely didn’t know how to carry on with him.
Mending a fractured relationship was a monumental task,and the gaping chasm between her and Garrett seemed insurmountable.
“Laney..”At her words,his heart ached,and he visibly trembled.”Don’t be so harsh…Give me another chance..”
Laney found herself instinctively reaching out to touch his face,and she smiled.”Just have a little patience.Once you’ve appropriately resolved the issues between your parents and me,we can contemplate reconciliation..”
Garrett clasped her hand tightly,burying his face in her soft palm.Large teardrops seeped through her fingers,carrying the joy of retained hope.”As long as you don’t outright reject me, it doesn’t matter..I will always stand by your side.Eventually,my actions will convince you…” As she felt the tears in her palm,a pang of sorrow coursed through Laney’s heart.
Witnessing his despair and self-blame saddened her.She found herself yearning for the confident and unbridled Garrett she once knew. He shouldn’t have been reduced to such humility…
Suppressing a lump in her throat,Laney closed her eyes and attempted to maintain her composure.”The truth is,I’m also scared…”
Garrett,a little taken aback,looked up at her, his eyes brimming with tears.
Laney gently wiped away his tears,her voice carrying a tone of desolation.”It’s not that I’m reluctant to forgive you,but I fear we might end up repeating the same mistakes.I’m scared that this moment of compassion might be feeting,and you’l revert to your old ways once we reconcile…”
Garrett hadn’t anticipated the extent of Laney’s apprehensions.And all these doubts stemmed from his prior failures.
At this moment,Garrett once again recognized how his past actions had caused irreparable harm to Laney “Laney,I..”
“Hear me out first.”Laney gently pressed a finger to his lips and continued in a soft voice, “I’ve been contemplating whether I’ll have to confront the pettiness of the elite,your female acquaintances,and the disdain of your parents once we reconcile..Garrett,I simply don’t want to return to a life that felt worse than death. Can you understand?”
As she finished,a spark ignited in Garrett’s eyes.He gripped her hand tightly,regarding her with utmost seriousness.”You just don’t want to return?That’s easy.We don’t have to. We can continue living in the house.
Laney furrowed her brows.”But will your parents consent?”
Garrett kissed her hand,a joyful smile adorning his face.”I don’t need their approval.I’m willing to live in your house with you.There’s no need for you to return to Barnes or face my parents. I’ll handle all the affairs concerning the Harding family.You won’t need to worry about a thing.”
Fearing that Laney might change her mind, Garrett rushed to speak,leaving her no chance to react.His words actually left her stunned.
As he received no response from her,Garrett tightened his grip on her hand and continued to make sincere promises,”Laney,trust me,I won’t let my parents disturb you and the child again.”
Laney could not help but smile at his earnestness.She raised an eyebrow and jokingly asked,”Really?”
Garrett nodded.”I promise!If I fail to handle my family affairs again,you can punish me as you like.”
Laney wanted to tease him further.So,she pulled her hands away,crossed her arms,and stared at him with a serious expression.”Mere words are not enough to convince me.How could I believe you?”
Garrett clenched his fists nervously and racked his brain to figure out how to convince Laney.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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