?Chapter 1447:


    “I know,” Jessica said, her smile returning like a dare. She wasn’t nning on running back into Melvin’s arms right away. He owed her. Emotionally. He’d better work for it this time, or she’d wring his ears and kick him out.


    “Then go,” Lawrence said, with a final, easy nod.


    Jacob saw it then. The decision was made, and nothing he said would unmake it. He turned and quietly headed upstairs.


    Lawrence followed, concerned. “Hey. What’s the matter?”


    No answer.


    Jacob disappeared into the hallway and came back momentster, unceremoniously hurling Lawrence’s bag at him. “She’s gone. No reason for you to linger either.”


    Lawrence caught the bag with exaggerated drama, hugging it to his chest. “Hey now, don’t be so cold. I was helpful these past few days, remember?” He trailed after Jacob, halfughing, half-whining. “You’re really tossing me out like expired milk? Heartless!”


    Jacob didn’t dignify that with a reply.


    Lawrence sidled up, trailing after him like a stray cat. “Come on, let me stay a few more days, okay?”


    “No.” Jacob shut him down t.


    Lawrence clutched his chest like he’d been stabbed. “My dear Jacob,” he crooned, his voice molding into that sugar-sick tone that sent shivers down spines. “Let me stay. I’ll do anything. I’ll even offer my body.”


    Jacob’s entire posture stiffened, like a wire pulled taut. His usual detached expression iced over, and his eyes slid to Lawrence coldly. “Your body?”


    “Yup!” Lawrence chirped, oblivious to the sudden chill.


    Jacob’s stare sharpened, cutting clean through the farce. “Didn’t you once say that was disgusting? Perfect. I feel disgusted too.”


    One line—curt and cutting—was enough to send a crack through the past they never talked about.


    For a second, just a flicker, guilt broke through Lawrence’s grin. “I only said that back then so my parents wouldn’t suspect anything. You know I didn’t mean it—”


    Your next adventure is at g  al n ovels . con


    “Not my concern.” Jacob sliced the conversation clean. He didn’t want the exnations. Not anymore.<fn0a27> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? ?ovelFind</fn0a27>


    “Jacob…”


    “Please leave my house.”


    “I’m not leaving.” Lawrence plopped onto the floor, arms crossed defiantly. “I’m staying right here.”


    Jacob’s patience cracked. “If you don’t leave, I’ll call the police.”


    “Go ahead,” Lawrence challenged, chin high. “Might as well have them lock me up for life. At least then I won’t keep showing up at your door, annoying you forever.”


    And for one tense moment, Jacob considered it. Actually calling. Actually having him dragged out. But the idea withered before he could reach for his phone.


    Rejection? That was simple. Brutal, but simple. But pressing charges? That was cruel.


    And he knew—deep down—Lawrence had always been the exception. Maybe that was why the man kepting back like this. Like he knew.


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