Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 75

Maya's "You finally figured out how to come back" made Wren choke up instantly.

They had been thick as thieves in college.

How close were they?

They had pulled all-nighters editing lab reports together, shared bowls of instant noodles, and whenever a professor started yelling, Maya was always the one jumping in front, shouting, "Professor, half of this mess is my fault!"

Then Wren got married, dropped the projects, left the lab, and disappeared from Maya's life.

It wasn't that she didn't feel guilty.

It was just that the Langfords, her baby, and her marriage had consumed every waking second, making her believe old friendships could be put on hold.

But some "holds" turn into years of silence.

Maya glared at her, eyes red, but her sharp tongue was fully intact.

"Six years, Wren. You pulled off one hell of a disappearing act."

"I'm sorry," Wren whispered.

Maya stared her down for a few seconds before letting out a massive sigh and pulling her into a tight hug.

"Whatever. Just glad you're back."

Wren stiffened for a second.

Then, slowly, she wrapped her arms around her old friend.

The hug was gentle, but it felt like a lifeline, pulling her even further out of the suffocating swamp of the Langford estate.

Phoebe stood by, chuckling. "Alright, wrap up the tear-jerking reunion. Drinks are on me tonight, and Wren, you have zero choice but to show up."

Maya pulled back and immediately demanded, "Oh, she's going. She owes me six years' worth of dinners."

Wren looked at them, a little dazed.

She hadn't been effortlessly swept into a group like this in forever.

Not because she was Mrs. Langford.

Not because she was arm candy designed to make someone else look good.

Just because she was Wren.

She smiled warmly. "I'm buying."

From across the room, Lawrence watched the interaction, his expression turning downright lethal.

Wren was smiling.

She had smiled countless times tonight.

At Phoebe, at Maya, at Julian, and she had even managed a polite nod for Harrison.

But when it came to him, she was a brick wall of ice.

The blatant contrast felt like a physical weight crushing his chest.

He had assumed that once she walked out on the Langfords, she would crash and burn, terrified and completely reliant on the status he gave her.

But she hadn't.

She had stood on that stage, commanded respect, attracted an entourage, and been embraced by old friends.

Her universe was rapidly expanding.

And he wasn't even a footnote in it.

Willow stood beside him, watching Wren hold court.

Her grip on her clutch tightened as she murmured, "Wren was amazing tonight."

Lawrence said nothing.

Willow looked up at him, feigning a tragic vulnerability. "I've always been so jealous of her. No matter how long she vanishes, the second she returns, everyone adores her."

Lawrence glanced at her.

Willow forced a sad, self-deprecating smile. "Not like me. I have to fight tooth and nail just to keep from fading into the background."

Her words were soft, but they hit their intended target with lethal precision.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify