?Chapter 1437:


    Lawrence parted his lips, but the words stuck. He stayed quiet for a long stretch, wrestling with the memory. The pain was fresh, even now. In his mind, if their roles had been reversed, he figured he would have been even less forgiving.


    Jessica eyed him with curiosity. “You didn’t blurt out something like, ‘I’m not interested in men—I like women,’ did you?”


    “Pretty close,” Lawrence answered, his voice barely above a whisper. “What I said was even harder to forgive.”


    Jessica’s mouth hung open for a second. She took a piece of fruit, tossed it in her mouth, and shook her head. “You’re asking for a miracle if you want my help. After everything you said to him, even I’m not sure I’d want to get involved.”


    “I wasn’t speaking from the heart,” Lawrence insisted, leaning forward. “My family was a mess back then. I was desperate to win their approval, and to secure a future for myself—and for Jacob.”


    Those words had never reflected how he truly felt. If not for his ambitions, he never would have said any of it.


    He couldn’t bear the thought of Jacob facing whispers or judgment. All he had wanted was to protect him, maybe even give him a shot at a happier life.


    “It really doesn’t matter why you said it. Intentions can’t undo hurt.” Jessica shook her head, her tone gentle but steady. “The minute you denied him in front of your parents, you shattered something in him.”


    Lawrence didn’t argue. He knew she had nailed it. There was no one else to me but himself.


    “If gaining power mattered that much, you and my uncle could have figured out a n together,” Jessica pointed out. “I know my uncle. If he wanted to be with you, he would’ve helped youe up with something.”


    From where she sat, it was clear Lawrence had chosen the wrong road.


    Lawrence’s face turned grim. He understood that well enough now. Worse, after wounding Jacob, he hadn’t tried to fix things. He had buried himself in family business instead, letting the distance between them grow wider. Had he been the person he was today, Lawrence knew he would have fought harder to keep Jacob close.


    “Where is he anyway? What’s taking him so long?” Jessica nced at her watch, then changed the topic. “Do you know why he stepped out?”


    Lawrence shrugged. “I have no clue.”


    G a lno v els  is packed with thrilling adventures


    Meanwhile, Jacob stood just outside the door, listening. Their voices carried through the hallway, low but unmistakable.


    Digging up the past did not sting as sharply as it once had. Over five years, the bitterness had faded, leaving only a faint ache when old memories surfaced—times when Lawrence had abandoned him and even called him revolting. He drew in a steadying breath, pushed aside the remnants of hurt, and turned the handle. A bag dangled from his hand as he stepped into the room.


    The click of the door caught Jessica and Lawrence’s attention.


    “We were just talking about you. What kept you?” Jessica smiled, her tone light.


    “I picked up some snacks for you.” Jacob handed her the bag. “Tell me when you run out and I’ll grab more.”


    .


    .


    .<fne063> Latest content published on find?novel</fne063>