Susie finished her meal and headed downstairs, seeing her car still parked there. She walked over to it.
Noticing Lawrence asleep inside, she frowned and knocked on the car window.
Lawrence woke up, startled, and quickly rolled down the window when he saw her.
"Are you done eating?"
"Lawrence, tell me, is the divorce certificate fake?"
Lawrence's eyes flickered, and he motioned with his chin, "Get in the car, and we’ll talk."
Seeing his tired expression, Susie leaned over to open the door, pressed her lips together, and then walked around to get in the car.
"Is it real or fake?"
She stared at him, demanding an answer.
Lawrence looked at her calmly, his voice husky from just waking up, and asked, "Do you want it to be real or fake?"
Susie glared at him, turning her head away, "Of course, I hope it’s real!"
Upon realizing she was something of a drama queen, Lawrence couldn't help but feel a hint of amusement.
He locked the car doors, started the engine, and drove away from where Cyrus stood.
"Are you mute?" Susie fumed, her cheeks turning red when he didn't respond.
"It’s fake!" Lawrence glanced at her nonchalantly.
Susie was furious, glaring at him, "Why did you do this?"
"It wasn’t me who handled it, so why blame me?" Lawrence brushed it off lightly.
"If it weren't for you meddling, would Lincoln have given me a fake divorce certificate?" Susie knew it had to be him who got to the lawyer.
"Don’t be mad. I don't want to be separated from you. Do you really want a divorce?" Lawrence reached over to hold her hand, speaking softly.
Susie tried to pull away but couldn’t, glaring at him, "I haven't forgiven you!"
He tricked her again.
"I know. Let me take you somewhere." Seeing she wasn’t as angry, Lawrence was quite pleased.
He held her hand the entire drive.
Susie felt the calluses on his palm, her heart fluttering. They were from the times he built her a swing and planted flowers.
After half an hour, they arrived at a scenic spot in the countryside.
"Why did you bring me here?" Susie asked curiously.
"Come and see!" Lawrence led her to a lakeside, where countless fireflies were mating, their greenish glow reflected on the water’s surface, creating a breathtaking scene.
"So beautiful!"
Her gaze was captivated, and she instinctively moved closer for a better look.
Lawrence held her hand, "Be careful. Don’t fall into the lake."
He took off his jacket, spread it on the ground, sat down, and patted the spot beside him, "Sit."
Susie glanced at him before sitting down.
Lawrence grinned, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her into his embrace.
Susie struggled but couldn’t break free.
"Do you remember the first time we met?" His deep voice asked, and Susie’s heart fluttered.
Memories of their first meeting flashed in her mind.
They had first met here.
She had fallen into the lake while trying to catch a butterfly. The shallow edge meant she wasn't in danger, but she kept slipping back into the mud whenever she tried to climb out.
A laugh from the shore made her look up in embarrassment to see a man leaning against a tree, laughing at her. His handsome face was unforgettable.
Susie’s heart pounded, and she pouted, remembering how she had hoped he would help her, but instead, he walked away, leaving her shouting for help in vain.
Later, she found out he was her cousin's good friend, and they had been at odds ever since.
"Ha!"
Suddenly, she heard his deep laughter. She turned to glare at him, her fist hitting his chest.
Lawrence held her close, lying down with her in his arms.
He also remembered that day. She had been such a silly girl then.
Who would have thought she was David’s daughter?
"Were you deliberately approaching me back then?" Susie asked sullenly.
"No!" Lawrence looked at the starry sky and added, "I had no idea that clumsy girl was David's daughter!"
She was lively and pure.
"You're the clumsy one!" Susie glared at him, feeling her resentment ease a bit.
Lawrence laughed, kissing her hair gently, "I was clumsy. I should’ve pulled you out sooner."
It would’ve made chasing her later easier.
"Who cares!"
Susie huffed, looking at the beautiful, dreamlike scenery.
"It’s beautiful because they won’t live long. They have to shine while they can."
His words felt like a damper, but they didn't spoil her appreciation.
She took out her phone, snapping several pictures.
Lawrence watched her, a smile playing on his lips, "Susie."
Susie’s heart skipped a beat, and she turned to glare at him, "What?"
"Just calling you." Lawrence rested his hands behind his head, gazing at her with a smile, "Can we make up?"
Susie didn’t answer, continuing to take photos.
Lawrence sighed, looking at the sky, not pressing her further.
Making her forgive him would take time.
He had only himself to blame.
They stayed by the lake, enjoying the view until late into the night. Then Lawrence drove her back to the Morris house.
"Not coming back with me?" Lawrence asked as he helped her out of the car, standing at the gate of the Morris house.
It was late, and he wanted to go inside with her.
"Goodnight, Mr. Sutton," Susie said, pushing the gate open and closing it behind her. She looked back at him before heading inside.
"Goodnight, darling!"
Lawrence called out, watching her go inside before driving away.
Susie watched his car disappear before heading upstairs.
Lawrence returned home, finding it empty and unwelcoming. He threw his coat over a chair and sat for a while before going upstairs.
The bedroom was cold and lifeless without her, her things all gone.
She had left nothing behind, not even a piece of clothing.
Lawrence lay on the bed, hugging her pillow, the scent of her lingering and bringing him comfort.
The next morning, he got ready early and headed out.
As he stepped down the stairs, he remembered Rachel’s staged fall, the blood she spilled. He called Finnegan, instructing him to have the steps and tiles replaced, then headed to the Morris house.
For the next few days, Lawrence went to the Morris house for breakfast, ate lunch at the office, and shadowed Susie in the evenings. Wherever she went, he followed.
Sometimes Susie was so annoyed she couldn’t even use the restroom in peace.
"Lawrence, are you sick? Do you want to follow me into the ladies' room too?"
"If you don't mind, I'll follow!" Lawrence teased with a smile.
Susie was speechless.
