Chapter 41
Yvonne’s expression darkened instantly. I knew what she was turned to Xavier instead..
out to say, so I cut her off and
“Your son is never going to want to come with me anyway. He’s made it clear how he feels
about me before the divorce and even now. There’s no way he’d want to go to the beach with
me.”
“What do you mean ‘your son?‘ Are you not my father?” Xavier’s voice shot up so loud it almost woke Jonas.
“Keep your voice down. Your brother is trying to sleep.”
“Why should I? You care so much about him, so why did you even bother having me?”
His outburst drew every eye in the cabin.
I sighed, my frustration mounting as I stared at Xavier. How had such a sweet kid turned into this? Yvonne’s influence was written all over him.
“Maybe Xavier is upset because you don’t pay enough attention to him,” Yvonne said, her face flushing as she scrambled for an excuse.
“Aren’t you aware of why I haven’t gone to see him?” I shot back.
Every time I tried to spend time with Xavier, she’d drag Jared along, acting like I was a human trafficker. Seeing my own kid had turned into an ordeal.
And Xavier? He refused to even acknowledge me as his dad. Why should I take his side?
Yvonne’s face turned bright red as her eyes widened in disbelief. Her hand trembled as she pointed at me. “Cole, how could you say something so awful?”
Her words were laced with double meaning, and her eyes flicked toward Lorraine for a split second before she continued, “Why did you suddenly become so unreasonable after our divorce?”
“I was like this before the divorce too. I just used to put up with you.
“You-
When we were married, I treated her like she mattered. Now that we weren’t, did she really think she could still control me? Not a chance!
I leveled a cold look at her. “Do a better job raising Xavier. Don’t let him grow up spoiled.”
Xavier wasn’t just my son anymore. There were limits to what I could say or do. But as his father, I still wanted him to grow up with some decency. At the very least, I didn’t want him to be a bratty little tyrant.
“Who cares what you think? Worry about your precious Jonas,” Xavier sneered, rolling his
eyes at me.
I didn’t bother responding. Instead, I turned away and closed my eyes, pretending to sleep.
Even though Yvonne kept quiet after that, I could still feel her gaze on me, heavy with
resentment.
By the time we reached our destination, Yvonne casually announced she hadn’t booked a
room.
“You came all this way and didn’t think to make a reservation?” I asked incredulously. “What were you planning to do? Sleep on the street?”
“It was a last–minute trip. Everywhere was fully booked,” she said, trying to justify her lack of preparation.
I thought she was joking until Xavier turned to Jonas with a wide grin. “Hey, can I stay with you?”
Jonas, ever the kind–hearted one, wouldn’t have it in him to refuse.
I sensed his questioning gaze, but I didn’t have a chance to respond before Xavier jumped in and said, “Why are you looking at him? That’s your room, Jonas.”
This brat was clearly being defiant.
“That’s the room I booked,” I said firml
“Oh? And what’s that supposed to mean?”
I clenched my fists. If he weren’t my son, I’d have half a mind to toss him into the ocean to feed the fish.
“Jonas, would you be okay with that?”
No matter what, there was no way I could stand by and let Xavier go without a place to stay.
“Let him stay with me, Dad,” Jonas said softly, already sensing my–reluctance. He always looked out for others, even when I didn’t want to.
I sighed, still feeling irritated. Even so, I gave in. Fine. But, Xavier, if you’re staying in his room, you’d better behave. No bullying your brother.”
“What? I’d be out of my mind to bully him!”
Xavier crossed his arms over his chest, striking a pose that made him look oddly mature. Who knew where he picked that up?
