Chapter 50
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Jonás tilted his head up, his small voice trembling as he asked, “Daddy, am I really annoying?
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The question hit me like a punch to the chest, squeezing my heart into a painful knot.
“Jonas, you’re the sweetest kid in the world. No one could ever think you’re annoying.”
“Then why does Mommy…” His voice trailed off, and he quickly clamped his tiny hands over his mouth, worried he had said too much.
“Will Ms. Sommerton be mad if she hears?”
Even though the bathroom door was firmly shut, he was still worried about being overheard. How could anyone not love such a thoughtful, gentle kid?
I rested a hand on his shoulder and said gently, “Jonas, not everyone in this world will like you, but that doesn’t mean it’s your fault. Sometimes, it’s because they don’t deserve you.‘
He looked at me with wide, confused eyes. He was too young to understand what it meant for someone to be undeserving. All he knew was that he felt a little less safe, a little less loved.
Seeing him nod earnestly, trying to make sense of my words, broke my heart all over again. How could I ever have left him with Yvonne? The guilt crept in like a rising tide, threatening to overwhelm me. I didn’t even hear Lorraine knocking at the door until she finally spoke up.
“I’m coming in.”
Her voice startled me, and I realized she must have thought something had happened to us.
“No rush. I just wanted to make sure you two didn’t pass out in there,” she said with a soft laugh. She placed two bottles of water on the counter and gave me a reassuring smile that washed away my embarrassment.
“Take your time. I’m not in a hurry,” she added before leaving.
By the time we finished and came out, it was clear that space was going to be an issue. The bed wasn’t big enough for all of us, so I decided to sleep on the floor.
“You two take the bed. I’ll be fine down here,” I said, setting up a makeshift spot on the floor. Luckily, the summer heat made it bearable.
While Lorraine went to shower, Jonas lay on the bed, his bright eyes watching me intently.
“Daddy, will you marry Ms. Sommerton?”
His question caught me off guard. “Why are you asking that?”
Kids these days seemed to know too much. I wondered if he had overheard something while
Chapter 50
staying with Yvonne.
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“Mommy says if you like someone, you should marry them. She says she still likes you, Daddy.
Those last few words made my chest tighten painfully.
Jonas was too young to understand the full picture, but he never asked questions like this unless he’d been fed the idea. It had to be something Yvonne planted on purpose. Was this her way of trying to win me back?
“Did Mommy tell you that?” Before Jonas could answer, I thought I heard the sound of the bathroom door opening. I glanced toward it, relieved to see Lorraine hadn’t returned yet.
“No, I heard it from Xavier,” Jonas said softly.
“Xavier?” The same Xavier who could barely tolerate being in the same room as Jonas? I couldn’t wrap my head around it. There was no way those words came from him,
“Daddy, do you still like Mommy?” Jonas asked hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Kids shouldn’t ask so many questions. Go to sleep,” I said firmly, dodging the question. Jonas pouted but, true to his nature, he obediently closed his eyes without another word.
