You're Just My Ex-Husband,My Lord-Chapter 286- just this once

Who would understand Laurent better than his own daughter? He was just like her best friend Vivian—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted.

After everything Laurent and Dave had been through, it was clear Vivian had already accepted Dave as her life partner. Yet here she was, still complaining about him in the group chat today, saying things like how Dave was now unemployed and living off his wife.

Laurent couldn’t help but laugh at her comments. Marylin rolled her eyes at Vivian, and Jingjing chuckled quietly too. She was clearly roasting Dave, yet she outright called Laurent "Dave’s wife"—how contradictory was that?

But that was just how she liked to talk. Her dad was the same way—always saying the opposite of what he meant. It was like they couldn’t help themselves. Getting a sincere compliment out of their mouths was a real challenge.

Still, after so many years of knowing each other, everyone understood each other’s quirks. No one got upset anymore. In fact, it was kind of funny.

After Cassy finished preparing lunch, Alex, Cassy, Dave, and Emma Washington sat down at the dining table. Out of the blue, Alex looked at Dave and said,

"Drink with me?"

Cassy immediately tried to stop him.

"Drink what? Dave still has to drive back this afternoon. And you’re not supposed to be drinking either."

Since Laurent hadn’t come back with them, Dave didn’t plan on staying the night. He intended to return to Burg Eltz with his daughter later in the afternoon.

As for Alex, ever since a serious illness a few years back, his doctor had told him to quit drinking. While he hadn’t become completely teetotal, he only drank occasionally and never too much.

Annoyed by Cassy’s interference, Alex grumbled,

"Then don’t go back today. It’s not like we don’t have space for them to stay the night."

Then he turned to Cassy and ordered,

"Go get the wine. I know my limits—just a little."

Drinking and offering to let Dave stay the night—Alex was being unusually warm, and Dave was genuinely flattered. After all these years with Laurent, it was rare for Alex to drink with him. Even during holidays or family gatherings, it was usually just a formal dinner with everyone sitting around the table.

Laurent was always the one cracking jokes and trying to keep the atmosphere lively. Dave had never really felt like part of the family—not because he couldn’t fit in, but because he didn’t want to. And forget about Alex toasting him with wine—never happened.

So now, with Alex inviting him for a drink, Dave wasn’t about to turn him down.

Cassy noticed the subtle thaw between the two men. Understanding the moment, she stood up and went to get the wine, following Alex’s request. But before she could remind Alex to take it easy, Dave spoke up first,

"Alex, your health isn’t great. Just a few sips to show the gesture—let me do the drinking."

He took the bottle from Cassy respectfully, poured a full glass for Alex, and said it with a light, genuine tone.

Alex nodded in approval, raised his glass toward Dave, and took a small sip.

But despite the plan for Alex to take it easy and Dave to do the heavy lifting, Alex ended up drinking quite a bit. He was getting tipsy, and naturally, Dave drank a fair share too—he had to keep pace with his future father-in-law.

With the alcohol in his system, Alex looked at Dave and declared,

"She’s my only precious daughter. If you ever stop treating her right—I swear I won’t forgive you!"

Dave had expected this kind of warning. Honestly, he figured it wouldn’t be the last time either. But he didn’t mind. Getting the occasional warning might be good for him—it gave him moments to reflect.

Sitting there with a faint smile, Dave gave Alex his solemn assurance,

"This time, you can rest easy. I will treat her well—I won’t let her down again."

Such simple words, paired with a seemingly calm expression, carried the deepest love he held for Laurent. He didn’t speak in grand romantic phrases, nor did he make emotional, sweeping promises. But it was real. And it was sincere.

Alex stared at him, his expression heavy. Dave met his probing gaze head-on, steady and unflinching. His smile was gentle, his demeanor composed.

At this moment, he wasn’t afraid of any test Alex might throw his way.

Because his love for Laurent was true.

Finally, Alex raised his glass again.

"I’ll believe you—just this once."

That was as close to a blessing as one could get from Alex. Dave couldn’t hold back the smile that spread across his face, reaching all the way to the corners of his eyes.

Overcome with joy, he downed three more glasses in a row.

The drink of choice between Dave and Alex was strong—high-proof Chinese baijiu.

And given everything they’d already drunk earlier, the final result was inevitable: Alex got tipsy, and Dave got downright drunk.

So yeah, no one was going anywhere that night. Dave ended up crashing on Laurent’s bed, passing out almost instantly.

He was just too happy—drank like there was no tomorrow, and got messily, thoroughly drunk.

But drunk or not, it was clear he was bursting with joy. Maybe that’s why he kept mumbling Laurent’s name all afternoon, tossing and turning as he whispered,

"Laurent... I love you..."

Then rolled over again.

"Laurent... I miss you..."

Sometimes, it was—

"Laurent, Laurent... my Laurent—"

Alex may have been a little drunk, but he wasn’t out of it—his mind was still sharp.

After lunch, he sat in the living room, drinking tea and admiring the flowers she had personally cultivated, while also sobering up.

However, from the bedroom, a continuous stream of sweet nothings, all containing her daughter’s name, could be heard. Alex, with a disgusted look on his face, said to Cassy,

"Is there any way to make him shut up? I have goosebumps all over, it’s so cheesy!"

For people like Alex and Cassy, at their age, such blatant declarations of love were unbearable. Cassy felt a bit awkward listening to it, and upon hearing Alex complain, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him,

"Who told you to make him drink so much and get him drunk?"

"Did I make him drink? In the end, it was just him drinking alone!"

Alex grumbled,

"If I didn’t let him drink, he would keep asking for more!"

Alex was speaking the truth. After Dave had gotten completely drunk, he kept asking for more to drink, and as he drank more and more, it had led to this situation.

"Laurent, my Laurent—"

Another shout came from the bedroom. Alex couldn’t take it anymore and hurriedly got up, heading to his own bedroom and closing the door to block out the noisy sounds.

Cassy shook her head helplessly but had a smile on her face.