Chapter 141

“Mrs. Parker said you love beef stew. She asked me to bring some,” Rita said calmly. I knew Deborah wanted her to return and watch Hayden and me. If the Parker family knew I was pregnant, they'd never let me leave with the baby. I had to be cautious these final days.

“Thank you,” I said, nodding slightly. “Please thank Grandma for me.”

“Mrs. Parker, I heard Mr. Parker slept in the guest room last night,” Rita asked. I narrowed my eyes. The servants must have told her.

Seeing my silence, Rita sighed. “Don’t blame the maid for gossiping. Mr. Parker wants what’s best for you. I can tell. Please give him a chance…” she urged earnestly.

Before, I wouldn't have listened. But now, I had to hide my pregnancy, so I couldn't appear too receptive. I nodded peacefully. “Okay.”

My obedience surprised Rita, and she stared. “Anything else?” I prompted.

“No,” Rita nodded repeatedly, then left.

After she left, I touched my belly; it hadn't grown at all. Since learning about the child, I unconsciously craved touch. Maybe this was how I communicated with it.

“I wonder if you like beef stew as much as I do…” I murmured, as if accepting the child's existence. I felt less alone, as if someone were always with me.

Rita, closing the door, seemed to hear someone speaking inside. “Is Mrs. Parker on the phone?” she wondered. Turning, she saw Hayden returning.

“Mr. Parker?” Rita's face showed surprise. She'd noticed his increasingly frequent homecomings. His presence was the best proof of his feelings. She believed that if Hayden pursued me, he'd fall in love.

“When did Yvonne return?” Hayden asked.

“A while ago…” Rita was startled. His tone was off. Hayden walked past her.

“Mr. Parker…” Rita tried to speak, but Hayden opened the door and entered.

I was bonding with the baby when I heard footsteps. I instinctively assumed it was Rita returning. “Don’t worry, I’ll get along with Hayden, never quarrel again,” I was assuring her. I used to consider lying unforgivable, until I became adept at it. But even sharing space with Hayden felt suffocating. I wished never to see him again.

“What… what did you say?” Hayden's voice startled me.

I froze, turning to see him. “Nothing,” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

Footsteps stopped before me. “Yvonne, what happened this afternoon?” His voice held a familiar indulgence. I thought I misheard. How could he speak to me like that? Stunned, I forgot to answer.

Hayden knelt before me. I sat on the bed's edge; he remained there, watching me. My heart leaped. He stared, then reached out.

Thinking he'd strike me, I jumped back. “You… what are you doing?”

He only wanted to smooth my hair. He said nothing, his jaw tight. He stood, sighing deeply. “Yvonne, we…”

“Stop!” I interrupted, weary. “Don’t say that. We're separated. If you're here because of the slap, I apologize! Or hit me back!” I accepted my punishment.

Hayden wasn't as angry as expected. He frowned. “I don’t blame you. I just want to know what happened.” His voice lacked its usual sharpness and disgust.

I stared, speechless. We stood, gazing at each other. After a while, he sighed. “Yvonne, when I was injured abroad, you cared for me. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“What’s the point?” I sneered, my heart aching. Thinking of my past folly, I wanted to slap myself. “To make you hate me more? We’re divorcing soon. What's the point of the past?”

“I won’t divorce,” Hayden said abruptly.

I was stunned, surprise fleeting across my eyes, quickly replaced by pain. “How long will you torture me?” I asked. My greatest love had become my prison. It was ironic. Love could endure years, yet crumble in a moment.

My sneer stung him. He approached; I retreated, the gap unbridgeable. Annoyed, he raised his brows. “I’m torturing you? Yvonne, do you like Marlon?”

My anger flared, then soured. I offered a wry smile. “Don’t you like Joanna? Hayden, let’s go our separate ways. The three-month deadline is near. Let’s sign the papers tonight?”

I couldn't wait. I'd never been so eager to leave him. I feared he'd discover the baby.

But then, Hayden acted out of character. “Joanna and I are nothing. Believe me.” His sincerity, the tenderness in his gaze… if I hadn't known about his child with Joanna, I might have believed him.