You're Just My Ex-Husband,My Lord-Chapter 148- Self deception.

The secretary’s words made Dave reflect for a moment. It was true—since arriving at the office that morning, he had been working non-stop. In the back of his mind, he had one thought: finish today’s work as quickly as possible so he could leave early and meet a certain little woman.

Even though she didn’t seem to care much for him.

He hadn’t realized that his fast-paced efficiency had unintentionally put a lot of pressure on his subordinates.

So he instructed the secretary,

"You don’t have to keep up with my pace. Just work at your usual efficiency."

The secretary was overjoyed.

"Thank you, Boss!"

Then, she rushed out to spread the good news.

Dave took a sip of his coffee and glanced at the time—exactly 4:00 PM. Parents could start picking up their children from kindergarten at 4:30. He knew Laurent would definitely be there first to pick up their daughter.

Raising his hand, he shut down his computer. Deciding to call it a day, he headed to the kindergarten to pick up both the big and the little woman.

That morning, after Laurent returned home, she immediately opened her laptop and got to work. She carefully analyzed the client’s requirements for the sample order, translated them into English, and emailed them to the factory’s sample room designers, instructing them to remake the samples.

Still feeling uneasy, she followed up with a phone call to personally explain the details to the designers.

By the time she finished, it was already midday.

Feeling a bit hungry, she thought about making something to eat but then remembered she had nothing in the fridge. She considered going out to buy groceries, but just then, another client emailed her with a pricing inquiry. In the end, she simply ordered takeout and continued responding to emails.

When she finally wrapped up all her tasks, she checked the time—it was already 3:00 PM.

She quickly shut down her laptop and called Tiffany, telling her that she’d be picking up her daughter today.

Tiffany, unaware of Laurent’s arrangement with Dave to fake their marriage, only knew that she was in Burg Eltz. Delighted, she told Laurent to come over right away so they could catch up.

Tiffany didn’t know about Laurent and Dave’s fake marriage arrangement. She only knew that Laurent was in Burg Eltz. Delighted, she told her to come over right away so they could chat.

Laurent quickly tidied herself up and took a taxi to Tiffany’s place. She didn’t drive—nor did she want to.

Some things, once lost, were simply lost forever.

When she arrived, Tiffany listened as Laurent explained her agreement with Dave. She fell into a long silence.

All this time, she had thought her son didn’t have feelings for Laurent. That was why she had always advised him to let go, to allow Laurent to find her own happiness—to be with a man who would truly love and cherish her for the rest of her life.

But now, knowing that Dave did have feelings for Laurent and was actively trying to win her back, Tiffany felt the urge to speak up for her son. Yet, she also worried that saying the wrong thing might push Laurent even further away from him.

After much thought, she wisely decided to stay out of it. This was their issue to resolve on their own.

"You two should try getting along in a different way," she finally said, then smoothly changed the subject.

Laurent was grateful that Tiffany chose not to interfere. If she had pressed for details, Laurent wouldn’t have even known how to respond—it was an awkward situation for her, too.

So instead, they chatted about Emma Washington, Laurent’s daughter.

As it neared school dismissal time, Laurent stood up to leave and pick up her daughter.

Since Tiffany’s place was close to the kindergarten, Laurent walked there.

Just as she reached the entrance, she saw Dave parking his car and walking toward her.

She was a bit puzzled.

"What are you doing here?"

He should have known that she was coming to pick up their daughter, so there was no need for him to come.

Dave stood beside her and replied calmly,

"To pick you both up."

Laurent was momentarily speechless.

Lately, his demeanor had shifted from cold and indifferent to affectionate and considerate, and she was struggling to adjust. It felt unnatural.

After five years together, she had never felt loved by him—never felt cherished or cared for. Now, all of a sudden, he was doting on her, showing tenderness and warmth. It didn’t feel sweet or touching. Instead, it made her uneasy, as if something was off about him.

So, she didn’t respond and simply stood beside him, both of them waiting in silence at the kindergarten gate.

A little girl, carrying her backpack, walked out hand in hand with her teacher. The moment she saw both of them standing there, she became ecstatic. Letting go of her teacher’s hand, she ran toward them excitedly.

"Daddy! Mommy—!"

Still thrilled by her mother’s presence, she threw herself into Laurent’s arms. Laurent bent down, hugged her tightly, and gave her a kiss.

With their daughter in tow, the three of them got into Dave’s car and headed to Tiffany’s place.

On the way, Laurent told her daughter that she and Dave had an event to attend that evening and wouldn’t be able to spend time with her.

The little girl nodded in understanding, then eagerly asked,

"Daddy, Mommy, does this mean you’ve made up?"

Her question left Laurent at a loss for words.

It was Dave, still driving up front, who stepped in to resolve the awkwardness. He explained to the little girl,

"Not exactly making up just yet. Mommy is still evaluating Daddy. If Daddy does well, then we’ll make up."

Some people were just too scheming—he only mentioned the possibility of doing well and reconciling but deliberately avoided the possibility of failing and being ruled out altogether.

Laurent scoffed inwardly.

Self-deception.

Just because he didn’t say it didn’t mean it couldn’t happen.

The little girl, however, cheered him on enthusiastically.

"Daddy, then you have to do your best!"

Laurent: "..."

But she understood her daughter’s innocent wish for her parents to be together, so she had nothing to say. Instead, she turned her gaze to the scenery outside the car window.