This time, Natalie didnât intervene. Perhaps, for Garrett, alcohol was the best balm for his wounds. âI thought setting her free would bring her back when she realized her true desires,â Garrett murmured. His bloodshot eyes stared into the bottle before taking a hefty swig. âI never imagined sheâd leave and never return. I regret it. I shouldnât have let her go!â Witnessing his friendâs agony, Brandon empathized and joined him in a drink. âWhy not seek her out and get some clarity? It might not be as dire as you think.â
Garrett shook his head, disheartened. âI considered that. I planned to find her last night, but... I couldnât face her. I fear the loathing in her eyes, the possibility that she no longer loves me...â As his words trailed off, Garrettâs gaze grew distant and tears welled up. He lifted the bottle and drank deeply. Men seldom wept so openly.
Natalieâs heart ached witnessing Garrettâs despair.
She had seen their journey from acquaintances to lovers and everything in between. Never had she anticipated this outcome, with their relationship disintegrating so completely.
Brandon, unable to tolerate his friendâs desolation, challenged him with a steely tone, âCan you truly let go of Laney and your newborn daughter? If you canât, then fight for them! Moping here, drowning in alcohol and tears wonât solve a thing.â
Garrett froze for a moment before slamming the bottle onto the table. âYouâre right! I wonât surrender so easily! Iâll win her back! Laney belongs to me, and only me!â
Meanwhile, Natalie took a more thoughtful stance. Having seen the hardships Laney faced within the Harding family, she cautioned, âEven if you manage to win Laney back now, if you canât ensure sheâs free to pursue her desires, youâll inevitably part ways again.â Though heavily inebriated, Garrett sobered up slightly at Natalieâs words. With earnest resolve, he declared, âIâve come to understand that love means supporting her wholeheartedly. If Laney returns, no matter her aspirations, even if she aspires to the presidency, Iâll back her.â
Natalieâs eyes gleamed with amusement. âReally? Didnât you say that you marry her out of pity?â
âRidiculous!â Garrett slammed the table, his voice escalating. âI love her! There are countless pitiable souls in the world; why wouldnât I pity and love them too? I love only Laney! I love her!â Ultimately, Garrett slurred âI love Laneyâ several times before collapsing onto Brandonâs shoulder.
Brandon, repulsed, shoved Garrett away and turned to Natalie, impatience clear in his voice. âAre you done interrogating him? Did Laney catch all of that?â
Natalie chuckled and held up her phone, revealing a call with Laney in progress. âHow did you know I was phoning Laney?â she inquired. It turned out that shortly after entering the private room, Natalie had covertly dialed Laney and left the phone aside, deliberately allowing Garrett an opportunity to bare his soul.
Shaking his head helplessly, Brandon said, âYour call was hard to miss. Only someone as drunk as Garrett wouldnât have seen it.â Since her trick was exposed, Natalie stuck out her tongue in embarrassment and asked Laney over the phone, âYou heard everything Garrett said. Tell me, what do you think?â
âI...â Laney didnât know what to say. âI donât know...â she murmured.
With a heavy sigh, Natalie said, âA drunk mind speaks a sober heart. You should be able to see that he has repented. Canât you give him another chance?â
Even Laney couldnât deny that she was indeed deeply moved by what Garrett said.
Besides, she had also been thinking of him and sometimes, she would wonder if he had fallen in love with someone else while they were separated.
Now, after hearing his confession, her heart was swayed once again. The love she had been concealing in her heart made it impossible for her to deny that she could not forget about Garrett.
âI need time to think,â Laney said. Noticing a hint of wavering in her words, Natalie and Brandon were relieved.
âSo you sent the divorce papers and the ring to Garrett to make him realize his true feelings?â Natalie teased.
âWhat divorce papers? I didnât send him anything of the sort. All I did was take off my ring and stop wearing it. 1 was wondering why he was reacting so strangely!â Laney exclaimed.
With her eyes wide open in surprise, Natalie asked, âWhatâs going on then? Garrett said he received the divorce papers and the wedding ring you sent him.
He thought you really wanted to separate from him for good, and thatâs why he was so upset today.â
Laney suddenly thought of something and went to see if her ring was still there, and was shocked to find that it was missing. Frowning deeply, she said, âI donât know whatâs going on, but I will find out who sent those things to him in my name.â Concerned, Natalie said, âYou have to be careful.
Since that person managed to steal your wedding ring without you even noticing it, they have to be dangerous. Who knows what they might do to you.â
Laney agreed in a serious tone, âDonât worry, Iâll be careful. As for Garrett...â
After a momentâs hesitation, she softened her voice and continued, âLet him say the same things to me when he is sober. Right now, I donât trust a drunk manâs words.â
Natalie couldnât help but laugh. âAs long as you two love birds can work it out, nothing else matters. Alright, I wonât disturb you any longer. We need to help Garrett get home. Heâs passed out drunk.â âOkay, be careful,â Laney said, slightly worried about Garrett. She then added a few more instructions before hanging up.
Natalie and Brandon lost their appetite after the call, so they helped Garrett go home.
On their way, Garrett kept yelling, âLaney, I love you!â He would then burst into tears and cry out, âI donât want a divorce!â His behavior was so exasperating to Brandon that he even considered dropping him off on the side of the road.
Even Natalie, who was usually very patient, was drained from Garrettâs behavior.
After finally reaching Garrettâs home, Brandon was about to escort him to the master bedroom when the servant suddenly stopped him and said, âLet me help Mr. Harding. He has been sleeping in the nursery for a while now.â
After finally reaching Garrettâs home, Brandon was about to escort him to the master bedroom when the servant suddenly stopped him and said, âLet me help Mr. Harding. He has been sleeping in the nursery for a while now.â
âThe nursery?â
Taken by surprise, Natalie asked, âWhy?â
Supporting Garrett, the servant explained, âWell, ever since Mrs. Harding and their daughter left, Mr. Harding has been sleeping in the nursery. He suffers from insomnia if he tries to sleep elsewhere.â
Brandon furrowed his brows slightly and asked, âInsomnia? Is it serious?â answered With a firm nod, the servant answered, âYes, and his condition has been getting worse. He has even started to find it difficult to fall asleep in the nursery now. Heâs been relying on sleeping pills, yet he can only sleep for a few hours at night.â
The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband ï¤Chapter 783 The Return Of His Unrivaled Ex-Wife (Joanna)
ï¤Chapter 1329 Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen ï¤Chapter 1187