The Day I Stopped Waiting Was the Day He Started Begging novel Chapter 11

Madeline was slightly taken aback.

Coincidentally, Fiona Xavier walked in carrying a tray of fresh fruit. Hearing the commotion, she explained, "Blame me. Last time I was teaching her to talk, Mr. Yates happened to be on the news. I didn't expect her to remember it."

"I don't blame you. Kids pick up on things as they get older."

Madeline looked down at her daughter. The toddler was purely innocent and carefree; seeing her father vanish from the screen, she merely widened her eyes and clapped her hands in pure joy.

Evie Monroe was a beautiful child, inheriting her eyes and nose from York Yates. The older she got, the more she resembled him.

Staring at her, Madeline couldn't help but think of York.

They had been separated for two years, and yet he had suddenly moved back into their marital home.

What was he playing at?

A wave of irritation washed over her. Just then, her phone lit up with a social media notification from Felicity Xavier.

It was a photo of Felicity at a spiritual retreat, showcasing two matching blessing bracelets tangled together. The caption read: *Forever and always with you.*

At a glance, it looked like a public relationship announcement.

Madeline instantly recognized that one of those bracelets was meant for York.

Quite a few people had already liked the post.

Fiona was one of them.

This wasn't the first time Felicity had posted something like this. Madeline casually hit the like button as well. She finished coaxing her daughter to take her medicine, then finally sent Susan a text message.

"Was he home all of last night?"

It took a while before her screen lit up again.

The reply, however, wasn't from Susan. The man's tone was incredibly laid-back, his signature lazy drawl practically practically dripping through the screen.

"I'm an idle man. I can't compare to you, Ms. Monroe, staying out all night."

York's transfer paperwork hadn't been finalized yet. Aside from visiting a few relatives and friends, he really didn't have much to do lately.

Seeing his message, Madeline's mild irritation instantly spiked into outright anger.

She couldn't care less about whatever sordid affair he had going on with Felicity. If she wanted to buy him a bracelet, she could. But what did he mean by taking over their house like a squatter?

Sloane couldn't help but laugh. For as long as they had known each other, Madeline had always been as untouchable as an ethereal fairy. It was rare to see her hold a grudge against anyone; almost all of her negative emotions were reserved entirely for York.

"I'm just kidding. Come over, you can stay as long as you want. But what's his endgame here? Does he want to get back together? What about Felicity? Is he finally cutting her loose?"

"Hanging up."

Tired of listening to Sloane's endless chatter, Madeline abruptly ended the call.

Madeline didn't think York wanted to reconcile; she merely felt he was being provocative.

If she took a step back, York would just push a mile forward.

Treating him like the plague, Madeline stayed over at Sloane's apartment that very night.

Later that evening, Susan called to ask if she was coming home.

"I'm not coming back. I have overtime these next couple of days."

She gave a vague excuse.

York ended up sleeping in their marital home alone for two days. Everyone in their social circle laughed at the fact that he was married yet sleeping alone, treating his situation like a highly entertaining joke.