The Heart Left Behind

Chapter 48 You can drop the holler than thou act , I said , unable to hold back my sarcasm .

Were divorced .

What I do is none of your business .

Yvonnes expression darkened , but I didnt flinch Once upon a time , I wouldve bent over backward to keep her happy .

Id pluck the stars from the sky if she so much as frowned .

And what did that get me ? Betrayal .

I had no patience left for her games or her guilt tripping .

Jonas , could you grab a change of clothes for me ? I asked , keeping my voice light .

Jonas and I had been a team for so long that we had developed a rhythm .

Even though he was just a kid , he always found small ways to help out , like carrying clothes or tidying up .

Got it , Daddy .

Hold on ! His cheeks flushed with excitement at being asked , and he eagerly turned to head to the room .

Before he could take two steps , Xavier appeared out of nowhere , holding the very clothes I was asking for .

Are these yours ? he asked coolly , sounding more like a little CEO than a child .

Yeah , I replied , a bit caught off guard .

Even Yvonne looked surprised .

Xavier , did you get those for him ? Yeah , Xavier said flatly , handing me the clothes without looking at me directly .

His demeanor around Yvonne was always polite , almost formal .

That was one of the few reasons I had yet to interfere much with how she raised him .

At least he wasnt completely out of control around her , anyway .

But with me ? All bets were off .

Xavier , thats so thoughtful of you ! See , you do care about your daddy , Yvonne said , her tone dripping with forced warmth .

She was trying to play the emotional card again , just like she used to .

Thanks , Xavier , I said , softening for a moment .

He might be brash , but he was still my kid- even if his sharp edges often cut a little too deep .

Then , just as quickly , the claws came back out .

Youre such a mess .

How did you forget your own clothes ? What a loser .

I blinked , barely believing the shift in tone .

Xavier ! Dont talk to your daddy like that , Yvonne scolded , her face reddening as her polished facade cracked .

Well , isnt he ? Who forgets their clothes at his age ? Xavier retorted , completely unfazed .

His words stung , but his lack of respect hit harder .

I clenched my jaw .

Do you talk to Jared like this ? Chapter 48 2/2 This little brat owed me his life , but he spoke to me with no respect at all .

Xavier looked a bit guilty , his round eyes darting around nervously .

N None of your business .

Yeah , thats more like it , I said , patting his head .

Im the only one who could put up with you .

I turned to Yvonne, and my patience was officially gone .

We need to talk about Xaviers behavior .

His attitude needs to change , and fast .

She looked taken aback .

I have time tonight- Im not free , I cut her off , glancing toward Lorraine .

Shed been waiting long enough , and I wasnt about to leave her hanging .

Ill let you know when Im available , I said firmly .

This was important , but it didnt need to be settled right this second .

If I went over to talk about Xavier right now , Lorraine would probably think that I was two- timing her or that I was still tangled up with my ex wife .

Wasnt Yvonne just outright setting me up here ? Yvonne didnt reply , but the way she bit her lip made it clear she wasnt happy .

She always acted like the victim , as if I was the one who had done her wrong .

Apparently , she had conveniently forgotten the fact that she cheated on me .

Daddy , can I stay with you tonight ? Jonas small voice broke through the tension .