Chapter 119
Latham looked down at Garth, his tone firm. “Don’t make things up. You’ve never even seen your mom, so how do you know who you look like p>
He checked the time and sighed. “It’s late. Did you finish your homework? Come on, let’s head home p>
He scooped Garth up easily, but Garth started kicking and squirming, refusing to go quietly. Watching the chaos, Dorothea couldn’t help but laugh.
“Sorry, Mamie,” she said, shaking her head. “You should get going too. See you tomorrow p>
Mamie glanced at Garth with a hint of sympathy. “I’m fine, really. Don’t take it out on the kid. See you tomorrow p>
As soon as Mamie walked off, Garth burst into tears. His cries echoed down the street.
Latham kept his face stern. “Garth p>
But Garth just kept crying, completely ignoring him.
Dorothea shot Latham a look. “Why are you being so harsh p>
She crouched in front of Garth. “Hey, it’s okay, Garth. Don’t cry p>
Garth wriggled free from Latham’s arms and grabbed Dorothea’s hand, squeezing tight. “Uncle, I’m not talking to you anymore p>
He kept crying all the way home. Dorothea sat in the back with him, rubbing his back and whispering quietly while Latham drove in silence.
The truth was, Latham had never seen Garth’s mother either.
It was a topic no one liked to touch. For Scott, it was a wound that never fully
healed. Latham never dared bring it up, never asked for details.
The only thing he knew was that one day, Scott came home holding a baby, saying the child was his with his ex-girlfriend.
He could still remember their father’s face when he asked about the mother, and the sadness in Scott’s eyes as he avoided answering.
After that, Scott never got married, though he told everyone he had. For the sake of his grandson, Ladd let it go and stopped pushing.
By the time they got home, Garth had cried himself to sleep.
Dorothea moved to pick him up, but Latham stopped her with a gentle hand. “Let me. He’s heavier than he looks. You’ll hurt yourself p>
She didn’t argue, just followed Latham inside.
It was late and Ladd was already in bed. Latham called for the nanny to take Garth, and then walked to the window, phone pressed to his caras he spoke quietly to Scott for a long time.
When he finished, he glanced outside and saw Dorothea sitting alone in the garden, gazing up at the moon.
His eyes softened. He walked over quietly and sat beside her. “Pretty, isn’t it p>
Dorothea jumped a little, surprised by his voice.
Latham smiled, his voice teasing. “I mean the moon, not myself. I already know I look good p>
Dorothea rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, “So full of yourself p>
He leaned in, pretending not to hear. “What was that? Didn’t quite catch it. You want to say it again p>
A blush crept up Dorothea’s cheeks. “If you didn’t hear, then forget it p>
Latham reached for her hand, his grip warm and familiar, “Come on,
let’rmanymore. It’s been
torture with you avoiding me p>
Dorothea looked away, pretending to pout. “Who said I was fighting with you p>
He squeezed her hand, his voice low. “It’s my fault. I messed up. I won’t do it again, but you can’t push me away either p>
She looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. “Fine. I get it p>
She told herself she wouldn’t get caught up in Latham’s mess again, but she knew she was fooling herself.
Latham finally relaxed, a smile
breaking through. “But seriously, try me next time,
blt to m
said half
If joking, hatt serious
ng, haet
She still felt justified about the slap.
Latham just smirked and shrugged. “Alright p>
Dorothea stared at him, speechless.
Why did it feel like he didn’t care at all?