The Heart Left Behind (Cole and Yvonne) novel Chapter 110

Yvonne couldn't look someone in the eye whenever she lied. Turning away made her feel less guilty.

Busy? So, was this how she usually explained my absence to my child?

"Who said I was busy?" I pushed the door open.

Xavier's eyes noticeably widened when he saw me. I knew he had been hoping to see me. I approached him, my gaze lingering on Yvonne for a moment. Now wasn't the time to settle things with her.

"I'm here," I said.

Standing at the side, Jared seemed awkward. He fumbled for something to say. "Y-You guys go ahead first. I, uh, have something to handle at home."

Home? I turned to look at Yvonne, and she didn't object.

After Jared left, Xavier leaned against me and asked, "Dad, did you avenge me?"

I wondered who taught him that word. "Why do you need to seek revenge?"

Kids these days didn't understand the weight of revenge. Where did so much hatred come from?

"When I get out of the hospital, I'll knock them all down," Xavier declared.

He clung tightly to my arm for the entire night, acting as if I would disappear if he let go. He had become especially clingy now that he was sick.

After finally coaxing him to sleep, Yvonne stopped me. "Thank you for everything these days. Xavier is really happy."

This time, she seemed to have lost some of her pride. I was surprised that she could actually speak to me calmly.

"He's my son, after all. How could I not take care of him?"

"How come Lorraine allowed you to come over?"

Yvonne thought there was no way Lorraine and I wouldn't want kids if we got married. When we did, wouldn't Xavier feel even more isolated?

"This has nothing to do with her," I said, knowing what Yvonne was worried about—which included the plot of land I gave to Lorraine.

"Don't worry," I added. "Xavier will get everything he's supposed to. I won't treat him unfairly."

Since I still had to tend to matters at the company, I couldn't afford to stay any longer. Just as I turned to leave, Yvonne suddenly embraced me from behind.