Chapter 40
“I’m back.”
A sweet, feminine voice interrupted Yvonne.
My eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. Lorraine was usually mindful of her boundaries, and she couldn’t possibly have missed seeing Yvonne
“And this is?” Lorraine asked.
Yvonne felt unease bubbling up inside her. She probably had a sinking feeling about what was going to happen next.
“My ex–wife,” I replied flatly.
“Hi.” Lorraine carried herself with the grace of someone who knew she held the upper hand. She extended her hand toward Yvonne as if offering an olive branch.
“Are you together?” Yvonne’s tone was thick with sarcasm as her gaze flicked back and forth between us. She made a comment about how I had been fast to act and that I hadn’t been idle during this period.
“No,” I shot back immediately.
Yvonne’s expression clouded with barely restrained anger. “If you get married now, about the children?”
what
“That’s my business,” I said icily, raising my boarding pass before turning and walking away without a backward glance.
No matter how loudly Yvonne called after me, I didn’t stop or glance over my shoulder.
I couldn’t believe Yvonne had actually followed us here. She was persistent, always showing up where she wasn’t wanted.
“Where is he?” I asked, glancing at her.
“I brought Xavier on my own this time.”
That was a surprise. She’d never taken care of the children on her own before. Did this count as a drop in her quality of life? I remember when we were together, I wouldn’t even let her lift a
mop.
“I have to learn how to do it myself,” she said, her tone defensive.
“Sure. Gotta keep up appearances, right? Especially since Jared has a thing for stay–at–home moms,” I deliberately mocked her. Seeing Yvonne uncomfortable filled me with a twisted sense of satisfaction.
Chapes
“Let’s go,” Lorrafie said, stepping in as the peacemaker. She took my arm, steering me away.
As we walked off, I glanced back briefly. Yvonne stood frozen, her face pale and her expression
conflicted.
“You know, if you want to go after him, just do it” Xavier said, breaking the silence.
Yvonne snapped out of her thoughts and lightly ruffled his hair. “No, it’s not worth it.”
She already had Jared. Why risk everything for me?
Yvonne boarded the plane as well, and as she turned around, a flicker of loneliness flashed in Xavier’s eyes.
By some twist of fate, their seats ended up uncomfortably close to ours.
The rift between Xavier and me as father and son wasn’t something that could be mended so easily. He glanced at me, and our eyes met for all of a second before we both turned away.
Half an hour later, I was already dozing off.
On the other hand, Xavier stirred from his light nap and muttered under his breath, “So noisy!
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. What a spoiled kid.
In contrast, Jonas sat quietly, though his face was pale with unease. Even so, not a single complaint came from him.
Traveling with a kid turned out to be simpler than I had expected. If everything went according to plan, we’d arrive by late afternoon.
“Daddy, is Mommy joining us?” Jonas‘ voice carried a note of uncertainty. I couldn’t tell if he was worried or hopeful.
“She’s not-”
“Would you like me to join you?” Yvonne cut me off, seizing the moment to make her point.
“But
“Yes,” Jonas admitted softly. Ms. Sommerton…”
The poor kid just wanted his family together. But he’d seen enough to know having both women in the same space would be a disaster.
“We don’t exactly welcome uninvited guests,” I said, giving Yvonne a pointed look. “While Jared might be alright with you tagging along, we’re not.”
From the corner of my eye, I noticed Lorraine watching me intently. She was clearly curious about what I had to say.
I patted Jonas gently on the shoulder. “Be a good boy. Close your eyes, and we’ll be there before you know it.”
Chapter 40
“Okay,” Jonas mumbled, his eyelids already dro
Taking advantage of the quiet moment, I turned remember you’re with Jared now, right? Maybe seeing it and losing it.”
“Okay,” Jonas mumbled, his eyelids already drooping. He was asleep in no time..
Taking advantage of the quiet moment, I turned to Yvonne and lowered my voice. “You do remember you’re with Jared now, right? Maybe don’t stick so close to me. We don’t want Jared seeing it and losing it.”
Chapter 41
