Chapter 48
“You can drop the holler–than–thou act,” I said, unable to hold back my sarcasm. “We’re divorced. What I do is none of your business.”
Yvonne’s expression darkened, but I didn’t flinch
Once upon a time, I would’ve bent over backward to keep her happy. I’d pluck the stars from the sky if she so much as frowned. And what did that get me? Betrayal. I had no patience left for her games or her guilt–tripping.
“Jonas, could you grab a change of clothes for me?” I asked, keeping my voice light. Jonas and I had been a team for so long that we had developed a rhythm. Even though he was just a kid, he always found small ways to help out, like carrying clothes or tidying up.
“Got it, Daddy. Hold on!” His cheeks flushed with excitement at being asked, and he eagerly turned to head to the room. Before he could take two steps, Xavier appeared out of nowhere, holding the very clothes I was asking for.
“Are these yours?” he asked coolly, sounding more like a little CEO than a child.
“Yeah,” I replied, a bit caught off guard.
Even Yvonne looked surprised. “Xavier, did you get those for him?”
“Yeah,” Xavier said flatly, handing me the clothes without looking at me directly.
His demeanor around Yvonne was always polite, almost formal. That was one of the few reasons I had yet to interfere much with how she raised him. At least he wasn’t completely out of control–around her, anyway. But with me? All bets were off.
“Xavier, that’s so thoughtful of you! See, you do care about your daddy,” Yvonne said, her tone dripping with forced warmth. She was trying to play the emotional card again, just like
she used to.
“Thanks, Xavier,” I said, softening for a moment. He might be brash, but he was still my kid- even if his sharp edges often cut a little too deep.
Then, just as quickly, the claws came back out. “You’re such a mess. How did you forget your own clothes? What a loser.”
I blinked, barely believing the shift in tone.
“Xavier! Don’t talk to your daddy like that,” Yvonne scolded, her face reddening as her polished facade cracked.
“Well, isn’t he? Who forgets their clothes at his age?” Xavier retorted, completely unfazed.
His words stung, but his lack of respect hit harder. I clenched my jaw. “Do you talk to Jared like this?”
Chapter 48
2/2
This little brat owed me his life, but he spoke to me with no respect at all.
Xavier looked a bit guilty, his round eyes darting around nervously. “N–None of your business.
“Yeah, that’s more like it,” I said, patting his head. “I’m the only one who could put up with you.”
I turned to Yvonne, and my patience was officially gone. “We need to talk about Xavier’s behavior. His attitude needs to change, and fast.
She looked taken aback. “I have time tonight-”
“I’m not free,” I cut her off, glancing toward Lorraine. She’d been waiting long enough, and I wasn’t about to leave her hanging.
“I’ll let you know when I’m available,” I said firmly. This was important, but it didn’t need to be settled right this second.
If I went over to talk about Xavier right now, Lorraine would probably think that I was two- timing her or that I was still tangled up with my ex–wife. Wasn’t Yvonne just outright setting me up here?
Yvonne didn’t reply, but the way she bit her lip made it clear she wasn’t happy. She always acted like the victim, as if I was the one who had done her wrong. Apparently, she had conveniently forgotten the fact that she cheated on me.
“Daddy, can I stay with you tonight?” Jonas‘ small voice broke through the tension.
