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 contemted whether to exin 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


    hitn. 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 firen? I’ll help you find someone else…”


    “Garrett.” Laney’s voice was weary. “I’m not going to firen.” The color drained from Garrett’s face as


    realization struck. “You’ve fallen for him?”


    Withposure, Laney replied, “It’s not love, but gratitude I feel towards him. During the darkest days


    of my life,n cared for me and providedpany. 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 umted countless


    misunderstandings. One more won’t change much. The crux of our issues is inequality. You and your


    family have constantly belittled, pitied, and manipted me as if I were a mere ything. 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, butn 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.


    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 red 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.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Garrett, in a panic, grasped her wrist, attempting to exin, “I just want to…”


    Laney hesitated, shook off his grip, and disappeared into the room without a backward nce.


    Garrett yearned to follow her, butn blocked the doorway. He then nonchntly said, “Mr. Harding, it’s


    best that you not to enter someone else’s house without the owner’s permission.” Eyes zing, Garrett


    red atn.


    Unfazed,n 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 exined her emotions towardsn or be incensed at his neglect of their child


    otherwise.


    His mission was to reim 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 ce 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 thest to find out.”


    Unfazed, Garrett countered, “My wife is more important than thepany. 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.”