Chapter 12
After saying that, Xavier turned and ran off. I was left standing in place, feeling bitter.
In the following days, I was busy dealing with various post–divorce matters. Regarding the company, I told my assistant to send out an internal memo stating that Yvonne and I had divorced. As soon as the word got out, the company was in an uproar.
I knew everyone had to be talking about it behind my back, but I chose to turn a blind eye.
Unexpectedly, my elder brother, Hayden Joplin, called me. He sounded worried. “Cole, did you and Yvonne actually get a divorce?”
“Mhm,” I replied calmly. “All the paperwork has been finalized.”
The other end of the call was silent for a while before I heard Hayden sigh. “How did you two end up in this situation? Do Mom and Dad know?”
I rubbed my temples. “I haven’t told them yet. Hayden, could you tell them for me? I’m afraid they’ll take it badly.”
“Alright,” he said with resignation. “But you need to brace up. I’m sure they’ll want to talk to you.”
After hanging up, I sat in my office chair and stared out the window. I knew there would be more storms ahead. As was expected, before long. I received a call from Mom.
Her voice was tearful. “Cole, how could you? Your dad became so angry that he had to be hospitalized!”
I was shocked. “What happened to Dad? How bad is it?”
“It’s because of you,” Morn sobbed as she said. “He said he shouldn’t have doted on you. He was so furious that he had a heart attack. Come quickly to the hospital!”
I promptly dropped my work and rushed to the hospital. In the ward, I saw my dad lying on the bed, his face pale. Mom was sitting beside him, her eyes red and puffy. When Dad saw me come in, he scoffed and turned his head away from me.
I walked to his bed and said in a lowered voice, “Dad, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kept it from you.”
Sitting bolt upright, Dad pointed at me and scolded, “You’re sorry? Go and rip up the divorce certificate right now, then! How could my son be so incompetent?”
I fell silent for a while, then I said firmly, “Dad, I know you’re disappointed, but I’ve thought long and hard about this. I didn’t do it on a whim Yvonne and I really can’t go on.”
Mom wiped her tears away. “Cole, if there’s a problem between you two, can’t you talk it out? Why did you have to get a divorce?”
Chapter 12
Looking at them, I felt a bitter ache in my heart. I knew they meant well, but there were some things that I just couldn’t explain.
“Dad, Mom.” I drew a deep breath. “I know you’re struggling to accept this, but please believe me–this is the best decision for everyone.”
Dad’s breathing quickened with anger. “Best? What good does it even do? Do you know how much of an impact this will have on the Joplin family?”
I gave a wry smile. “Dad, our partnership with the Langley family won’t be affected. Yvonne will talk to them.”
Dad still had more to say, but Mom held him back. She took my hand, looking at me with her eyes that were filled with sorrow. “Cole, have you been mistreated? Tell me. I’ll help you.”
I shook my head. “Mom, no one mistreated me. It’s just that some things are hard to explain right now. You’ll understand later.”
After leaving the hospital, I returned to my
but he was still having trouble settling new home. Jonas had already moved in with me,
- in. I pushed the door open to find him sitting on the
couch. He was hugging his knees while spacing out.
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