Chapter 2
Chapter 2
“Yonne, you’re here” Xander’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts, grounding me in the moment
I nodded, offering a smile. In the Parker family, Xander was the only one who had ever treated me with kindness.
But why would he suddenly call me and Hayden back? Moreover, just moments ago, Hayden had been at the welcoming party–how had he arrived
here before me!
Before I could untangle my thoughts any further, Xander continued, “You’ve been away for too long. Time to get back to reality. Yvonne is a good girl, and you need to treat her with the respect she deserves”
His words were clearly directed at Hayden. 1 stayed quiet to the side, my gaze dropping to the floor. After a moment, I heard Hayden respond in a flat tone. “Yes, Grandpa”
Hayden always seemed to go along with Xander’s commands. Even when Xander had insisted that Hayden marry me, he had been calm like this But just a day after our wedding, he left for another country and hadn’t returned until now.
Frustration bubbled inside me, and I bit my lip, wanting to say something.
Just then, Xander spoke up. “Yvonne, I’ve been craving those pastas you whip up. How about you show me your culinary magic tomorrow morning! It’s getting late, so I have Luke get a room ready for you and Hayden. You two should catch some shut–eye”
I paused—was he expecting Hayden and me to stay over! Despite all the protests in my mind. I took a deep breath and managed to reply, “Okay, Xander
Just as I stepped out of the study, the chill in Xander’s voice cut through the air behind me “So, how much longer are you going to keep that
It seemed Xander knew about Joanna. I sighed softly, realizing he was probably trying to set me up with Hayden. But honestly, Hayden didn’t muties to me anymore.
As the door clicked shut, the butler, Luke Mosley, approached me. “Mrs. Parker, it’s been long since your grandfather and mother passed away You’ve lost quite a bit of weight. You really should take better care of yourself
“Thanks for your concern. I murmured, nodding slowly as my gaze fell to the floor, But once I was alone upstairs and stepped into my floodgates opened. Tears streamed down my cheeks, each drop carrying the weight of my sorrow.
room, the
Two months ago, I had gone abroad to care for Hayden, who had slipped into a coma after an accident. In my absence, I missed my mother’s final moments, and upon my return, all that awaited me was a cold grave.
In less than a month, my father remarried. Sophia moved in, bringing her son, Quinn Walton, into my home which now felt foreign and unwelcoming
As the days passed, the truth began to claw its way to the surface, and I discovered my father had long been having an affair with Sophia. But I had been so obsessed with Hayders that I hadn’t even noticed the declining in my mom’s mood.
ה
In what felt like the blink of an eye, my once–luppy home had splintered, and only then did I realize that in loving Hayden, I had lost everything precious my life
And what of him! Instead of showing me compassion, he paraded his new romance in front of everyone, leaving me feeling utterly humiliated and discarded
How foolish I had been–sacrificing love, family, and even my own happiness for a man who showed me so little loyalty in return for over ten years. But now, as the dust settled around me, I knew it was time to reclaim my life.
Hayden returned half an later. His eyes, cold as ice, scanned me up and down, not a hint of warmth in them. “It’s only been a year, and you’ve managed to win over Grandpa. You’ve really got some tricks up your sleeve!
I frowned slightly, sensing the underlying accusation that I had confided in Xander about Joanna. Did he think so little of me! Anyway, it didn’t mailer anymore. I forced a smile and shot back, “When are you planning to divorce me?”
Surprise flashed across his face, but it was quickly overshadowed by the deepening darkness in his sunken eyes. “Yvonne, what’s the angle here! What gatur aur you running”
Bitterness churned in my heart. I had once clung to him with desperate fervor, employing every tactie I could fathom to make him mine.
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Chapter 2
Naturally, he would suspect that I had ulterior motives for wanting a divorce now
“Don’t you hate me?” I asked, my voice calm. “You have another woman now, so it’s only fair that I step aside.” My gaze met his with a newfound clarity, stripped of its former love, revealing instrad a vast ocean of sorrow.
He seemed to sense the change in me and looked at me with disgust. “Step aside? By going crying to Grandpa while talking about divorce! I don’t have time for your foolish games. Just stay where you belong, and the Parker family will take care of you for life.”
With that, Hayden turned and headed to the bathroom. I stood there, dazed, until the sound of water rushing from the tap broke the silence. A deep sigh escaped my lips–take care of me for a lifetime!
Right, back then. I had married into the Parker family with the Jackson family business backing me. Xander had said I would always be his granddaughter–in–law. It seemed that I’d first have to cam Xander’s approval, before divorcing Hayden
So, for tonight, I’d have to make do here. I grabbed a blanket, and curled up on the couch. When Hayden came out, I played possum, pretending to be fast asleep.
In the darkness, I heard his footsteps linger for what felt like forever. He probably couldn’t believe that I, who once shamelessly climbed into his bed, was now the one giving him the cold shoulder.
The next morning. I awoke hazily, surprised to find myself in bed. I quickly glanced around… Thank God, Hayden wasn’t there. Otherwise, I could just picture him giving me a hard time for trying to sneak into his bed.
With a flicker of melancholy, I rose and headed downstairs to whip up breakfast for Xander before heading out. My dad had called, asking me to come home later in the afiemoon.
As I approached the grand front door of the jackson residence, I I unexpectedly crossed paths with Sophia and Quinn
Quinn was tall and well–built, carrying his backpack over one shoulder like he didn’t have a care in the world. I’d heard he was in college, a bit of a laner, not really into the whole social scene.
Our eyes met briefly, but we didn’t say a word.
Suddenly, a soft hum of an engine broke the sullness, and a familiar car pulled up beside me. It was a mare Rolls–Royce, and when I caught a glimpse of the license plate, any heart sank–was that Hayden’s car?
Before I could think it through, the car door swung open, and Joanna stepped out, followed closely by Hayden. The moment our eyes locked across the distance, surprise flickered in their expressions.
Joanna, what brings you back?” Quinn, who’d been silent until then, hurried over to her side.
My heart skipped a beat. Quinn knew Joanna? What was their relationship?
“I came to see you,” Joanna said softly, her eyes f
flicking from Quinn to me. “Didn’t expect to run into you here, Ms. Jackson.”
“This is my h
home,” I replied, meeting her gaze e with a cool defiance.
Quinn leaned closer to Joanna and whispered, “Moen married Yvonne’s dad, Phillip.”
As the day unfolded, I discovered that Joanna and Quinn were half–siblings, both sharing Sophia as their mother. What a twist of fate–Joanna had taken my husband’s heart, and her mother had done the same to my mom’s.
Just then, I felt a heavy gaze boring into me. I pivoted to find Hayden’s piercing eyes locked onto mine.
1 was confused. I was the one who’d caught him and Joanna together, yet why did he look so angry! Did he think I spoiled his night? What a piece of
work.
“You remember this is the Jackson residence, right?” I challenged, a hint of deliance in my toe.
He probably indeed hadn’t a clue–after all, despite our marriage, he’d never once stepped foot here. Then again, he never cared about me or my
Hayden frowned, his expression heavy. But before he could respond, Joanna jumped in to his rescue. “I was eager to see my brother, and Mr. Parker kundly offered me a ride.”
“Is this your boyfriend?” Quinn piped up, cutting through the mo
monkent
Joanna’s face turned to stone, and suddenly, the air grew thick with tension.
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