Chapter 31
Yosef’s gaze shifted uncomfortably. “Well, Yvonne’s mother never really liked big events when she was alive, so we didn’t hold a big funeral.”
I snapped back to reality, and a smirk appeared on my lips. The truth was, since my mom had taken her own life, the Jackson family believed that would look terrible if it got out, so they were hesitant to hold a funeral for her.
It was sad my mom had given her whole life to this family, and in the end, she was buried alone.
Sophia sensed something was off. She touched her belly and sighed. “I suppose I’m partly to blame too. This little one is so active. The doctor told me I need to get some rest
Yosef immediately felt sorry for her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and comforted her. “Don’t say that. It’s not your fault
“But..” Sophia started to choke up. quietly reaching for her eyes to wipe away tears.
Watching their affection made my stomach chuirn again. Thankfully, I had already thrown up everything from lunch, so there was nothing left to expel.
Just then, Hayden, sitting next to me, spoke up, “Since it’s not convenient for you to handle Yvonne’s mother’s funeral, the Parker family will take care of in.
I was taken aback and swiftly turned to face him. All that greeted me was
was the profile of his face–defined features and a firm, square jaw.
At that moment, I realized Hayden seemed different from how I remembered him. He had always been cold towards me. One day back at school. when a classmate bullied me, he had walked by without offering any help
odd.
Now, how could he suddenly be saying something like this? It felt out of character, o
Joanna noticed he was trying to help me and grew visibly angry. “It’s been so long, and can we still do this?” Joanna asked, feigning concent.
“Exactly” Sophia chimed in. “She has already been buried. Wouldn’t doing it again disturb her?
As Yosef stayed quiet, Sophia nudged him. He finally cleared his throat and added, “Yeah, it’s all in the past. Maybe we shouldn’t bring it up again.”
He hadn’t arranged a funeral for his own wife, Lecting the Parker family handle it would look bad if it got out.
Hayden didn’t agree. Instead, he turned to me and asked, “Yvonne, what do you think“”
I lifted my gaze and found myself caught in the depth of his eyes. For a moment, I couldn’t decipher his intentions.
Holding a delayed funeral for my mother was indeed my wish, but I didn’t want him involved. The more intertwined our lives became, the harder it would be to separare in the future.
“I can handle this myself; no need to bother everyone,” I replied casually.
Hayden’s gaze was intense as he looked at ine. “Let me know if you need anything”
“Okay,” I nodded and looked away. His kindness right now felt like a show for my father, and I wouldn’t take it seriously.
Sophia visibly sighed in relief at this exchange.
After chatting for a while, it was already dinner time. We stood up and headed to the living room.
When we passed by the stairs, a black grand piano suddenly came into view. Even Hayden couldn’t help but glance at it, just as Sophia had hoped.
“Joanna has loved playing the piano since she was a child and has been practicing hard for years. I’m so proud of her,” Sophia said casually, sparking a round of compliments for Joanna.
However, Joanna felt a little awkward. She had only just started learning the piano and could barely manage simple tunes like “Happy Birthday” Sophia had made this comment to convince Hayden that Joanna was the talented one who had played a piece for him.
Hayden stayed silent, his deep eyes narrowing
Unaware of the mother–daughter schieme, Yosef casually commented, “Yvonne also plays the piano well, just like her mom.
Sophia froze and almost ground her teeth in frustration. She had spent a fortune on the piano and invited Hayden over to showcase Joanna’s talent, Who would have thought Yosef would bring up Yvonne?
1/2
Ad–Free Beading
Chapter 31
“I’ve heard it before,” Hayden replied, turning to look at me.
1 was left completely confused Why had Hayden been acting so strange these past couple of days!
Before I could sort through my thoughts, Joanna shot me a glare that was almost seething with anger. I half wandered if her big eyes might pop out.
Suddenly, Hayden added, “Not as good as Joanna.”
My heart skipped a beat Of course, to Hayden, Joanna was the best. How could he really help me? Everything he’d just said was just an act
His words quickly diffused all the hostility directed at me, Joanna stopped glaring at me and instead gazed at Hayden, her face lighting up with joy as if she could hardly contain herself
“Hayden,” she whispered, careful not to let Yosef overhear. This only made Hayden feel more affectionate towards her
Sophia shot me a scornful book and quickly guided Hayden and the others to their seats.
I walked at the back, feeling like a zombie
Yosef glanced back at me but said nothing as he left. He must have known about joanna and Hayden, but his silence felt like approval,
The dinner felt tasteless to mr.
Once it finally ended, Joanna insisted on seeing us off. It was clear to everyone that she was just eager to say goodbye to Hayden. I got into the car first still able to hear their conversation through the car door.
“Hayden, did you like the food earlier? I noticed you barely are. What if you get hungry later?”
I’m not hungry, It’s chilly at night, you should go back inside quickly.”
Hayden’s voice was dripping with a tenderness that I found irritating. I couldn’t help but steal a glance just in time to see Joanna clinging to his arm, showing no signs of wanting to let go. They seemed inseparable, locked in their own little bubble.
Richard couldn’t take it anymore and gently suggested, “Mrs. Parker, the wind has picked up. Why not close the car window?
I knew he meant for me to stop staring. I turned away and smiled coldly. “No need. A little chill is fine.”
This way, I could see more clearly just how much of a jerk Hayden really was. His few kind words had momentarily changed my opinion of him. but it was all just an illusion
Joanna and Hayden chatted outside the car for a bit, and then suddenly Joanna leaned her head in through my window with a bright smile. “See you. Yvonne. Come back soon, and I’ll cook some dishes for you”
She offered an innocent smile, and I found it hard to reconcile with the sharp and harsh person she could be when we were alone.
Soon, Hayden climbed into the car. Noticing I hadn’t replied. he turned to me with a serious tone. “Joanna is talking to you.”
Edry Check–in
