Chapter 49
Hearing Jonas‘ pleading voice, I stopped in my tracks.
“Jonas, I…” I hesitated, my chest tightening. He didn’t deserve this. I had taken him on this trip to have fun, but instead, he was stuck in this tense, suffocating environment.
“There’s plenty of space in my room,” Lorraine spoke up unexpectedly, her voice calm but resolute.
I looked at her, surprised. “Are you sure? I mean.” It was one thing for me to stay in her room, but bringing Jonas along was another matter entirely. He was well–behaved, but he was still a kid. He was prone to the occasional tantrum, especially in unfamiliar settings.
Jonas, realizing the burden of his request, lowered his head timidly. However, the hopeful glint in his eyes betrayed his true feelings. I couldn’t stand to see him so conflicted.
At his age, he should be free to ask for what he wanted without hesitation.
“It’s fine. I really like Jonas,” Lorraine said warmly.
Her words took on an edge as her gaze shifted to Yvonne. “It’s mostly because I don’t trust certain people.”
The subtle jab was clear, and for the first time, I saw Lorraine drop her usual gentleness for something sharper. It caught me off guard but also filled me with a quiet warmth.
She didn’t have to do any of this–she could have stayed out of it entirely. But she stepped in, again and again, for me. Was this what it felt like to be cared for? Maybe she liked me too. Before I could explore the thought further, Yvonne lunged forward, her expression dark with
anger.
“Mommy!” Jonas‘ shout snapped me back to reality. I turned just in time to shield Lorraine from Yvonne’s wild swing.
The slap landed on my cheek instead, her nails scraping against my skin and drawing blood. The sting was sharp, but the shock of her actions hurt more.
“What has Jared been teaching you?” I spat out, my voice trembling with anger. “First, slander; now, violence. What’s next?” I stared at Yvonne, deeply disappointed. How had she turned into this person?
Yvonne’s face twisted with fury, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Her voice shook as she hissed, “I’m Jonas‘ mother. You can’t replace me.”
She looked like a woman consumed by bitterness, her anger spilling out in the middle of the hallway for all to see.
Doors creaked open as curious onlookers peeked out. They were drawn out by the commotion.
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“Yvonne, don’t push it,” I said firmly, “When you took Xavier to meet Jared, did I say anything? No. I’ve been more than fair.”
Her jaw tightened, but she stayed silent.
“We’re divorced. I have every right to date whoever I want. You can’t expect me to spend the rest of my life stuck on you.”
Holding Jonas in my arms, I turned away, not wanting to waste another second arguing with her. I kept my voice low for Jonas‘ sake, refusing to escalate things any further. But I wouldn’t hold back next time if Yvonne kept this up.
Back in Lorraine’s room, the tension finally began to ease. With Jonas there, the atmosphere was lighter and less awkward.
“Maybe you should give Jonas a bath?” Lorraine suggested gently, sensing my unease. She sat on the bed with her head bowed, seemingly lost in her thoughts.
“Good idea. Thanks for being so understanding.” I had already lost track of how many times I’d apologized and thanked her, but Lorraine just smiled patiently every time.
I shook my head as I led Jonas into the bathroom, my thoughts spiraling. Was Lorraine simply kind–hearted, or…
I quickly shook that thought off. I shook my head a little too hard. It felt like my brain might just slosh into place, but I still couldn’t come up with an answer.
Jonas sat in the bathtub, looking at me with those timid, heart–wrenching eyes.
“How was it staying with Mommy?” I asked softly even though I already knew the answer.
“Mommy didn’t really talk to me. Neither did Xavier,” he admitted quietly, his little voice tinged with sadness.
He’d been so excited to see Yvonne, even if it meant feeling guilty about leaving Lorraine. He had missed her so much, and he had hoped this trip would bring them closer. But, instead, he was met with indifference.
Chapter 50
