?Chapter 916:


    He didn’t want to get entangled with Lawrence again—their shared past was still a sore spot he hadn’t fully healed from. But the image of Lawrence slumped in defeat, looking like the world had given up on him, tugged at something inside him.


    After a moment’s hesitation, he typed back, “Okay.”


    He had already made up his mind—once Lawrence bounced back, he’d send him packing. But for now, seeing him so rattled, he couldn’t just leave him to spiral alone.


    When Lawrence saw the reply, his heart practically leapt with joy. So, the saying online was true after all. Career in shambles, but love on the rise.


    Pushing his research woes aside, he slipped his phone into his pocket and sprang to his feet to start packing.


    Clothes, trousers, shoes, toiletries—he shoved them all into his suitcase with practiced ease. He’d thought it through—judging by the way K had looked earlier, Kristian wasn’t going to show up and try to get his memories back anytime soon.


    That meant a few extra days at Jacob’s ce.


    Last time, he had left early because of Kristian. This time, he wouldn’t let anyone mess it up.


    After loading the suitcase into his car trunk, he was already fantasizing about cozy mornings and quiet nights with Jacob.


    The thought alone warmed him.


    However, just as he turned the key in the ignition, he realized that something was wrong.


    In his current mental state, he shouldn’t have had the energy to pack so thoroughly or move so quickly. If Jacob saw how prepared he was, it would definitely raise some eyebrows.


    G  a lno  ve ls . is where the magic begins


    After mulling it over, he dragged the suitcase back into hisb, settling on just bringing his car keys and phone before heading out. They were about the same height and build—if he ran out of clothes, he could always borrow Jacob’s.


    When Lawrence arrived at Jacob’s house, he transformed his demeanor in an instant.


    The rejection of his research had genuinely wounded him, leaving a hollow ache that he typically concealed beneathyers ofposure. Yet now, he allowed his emotions to flow freely, unrestrained.


    While most people would carefully hide their vulnerabilities from someone they admired, Lawrence chose to do the opposite. He wanted Jacob to witness his raw, unfiltered self.


    Only by revealing his unhappiness could he possibly reignite even the faintest spark of concern from Jacob. Only through vulnerability might he preserve that fragile thread of hope.


    He paused before the door, inhaled deeply, and knocked.


    When Jacob swung the door open and saw Lawrence standing there with eyes swimming in mncholy, he silently stepped aside, granting him entry.


    Lawrence hesitated at the threshold, words forming and dissolving on his tongue, but ultimately surrendered to silence as he crossed into the house.


    What a consummate performer. Anyone observing him would crown him a virtuoso of emotional maniption.


    But Jacob remained oblivious. After Lawrence entered, he simply closed the door with a soft click and gestured toward the kitchen. “The water’s over there. If you’re thirsty, help yourself. I’ve already had dinner, so if you’re hungry, you’ll need to order something.”


    “Okay,” Lawrence murmured, his voice barely disturbing the air between them.


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