Chapter 185
“Mr. Parker, do you really want to throw away all of Mrs. Parker’s things?” Rita asked, sobbing. She was furious at Joanna's words but could only endure them. She doubted Hayden would agree to this. Though Hayden and Yvonne hadn't been close, they were married. Rita had witnessed Hayden's sadness; she believed he still cared for Yvonne. However, just as she thought this, Hayden quietly said, “Throw it all away.”
These words stunned Rita. Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Mr. Parker! Do you really want to discard all of Mrs. Parker’s belongings? She…”
“Pack up her things tomorrow,” Hayden’s weary voice, tinged with authority, cut her off. Rita froze, unable to speak. Hayden was her employer; even if she wanted to defend Yvonne, she wouldn't dare. After a long pause, she sighed, “Yes.” Perhaps, she thought, this was the best ending for Mrs. Parker—a complete departure from this heartless place, leaving behind all attachment, to find true love in another life. With a heavy heart, Rita left.
Hayden remained alone in the vast bedroom. A suffocating silence enveloped him, drowning his thoughts. His slender fingers touched the quilt, encountering only chilling coldness. He felt the room was no longer peaceful, and he wanted to move Yvonne's belongings. “Yvonne, don’t blame me,” he whispered, his voice choked with sobs. A month had passed since her death, yet his grief remained intense. He pulled out his phone and played a video of her playing the piano. The gentle notes, once his lifeline from a coma, now brought only remorse and grief.
The next day, Rosy House servants cleared out Yvonne's belongings. News spread swiftly, and Elysiumville buzzed with rumors. “Men can be so heartless. Hayden’s erasing all traces of his ex-wife so quickly?” one person remarked. Another countered, “When I saw him on the cruise, refusing food and drink for three days for Yvonne, I thought their love was profound!” A third scoffed, “It was all an act! You can’t believe anything a man says!” “Poor Yvonne,” another sighed, “She fell for the wrong guy!”
In a café, teenagers giggled, scrolling through trending topics on their phones. Dylan arrived with coffee and a cupcake. “Cappuccino for you, Yvonne. Thank you,” he said. I accepted the coffee, my expression unchanged. Ebenezer, beside me, noticed the chatter and looked at me curiously. “You… don’t have a reaction?”
“What reaction do you expect?” I smiled, sipping my coffee. Ebenezer took his coffee, frowning. “You rushed back, yet now you’re calm. You’re not even hurrying to see Marlon. It’s confusing… and now you’re so calm listening to others discuss your affairs.”
“They’re telling the truth; I have nothing to argue with. As for Marlon… didn’t he say we’d see each other later?” I smiled faintly, pulling my baseball cap lower. I still wore a mask, removing it only to eat. Dylan placed the cupcake before me. “Yvonne, you wanted something sweet. Try this; the clerk said it’s a bestseller.”
“Okay,” I nodded. I hadn’t liked sweets before, but my tastes had changed recently. Perhaps life had been too bitter, so I craved sweetness. Ebenezer fell silent, likely bored. Dylan, seeing my appetite, smiled. “This suits your taste. Shall we buy another one later?”
“No need. Let’s find a restaurant,” I suggested. “Okay!” he replied happily. He never seemed discouraged around me. Ebenezer pinched his brow. “You two are still discussing food?” He felt we weren’t acting like people seeking revenge.
“You need strength with a full stomach,” I smiled. I wasn’t alone anymore; I had to consider the child. Hayden no longer mattered—his remarriage, his discarding of my belongings—none of it affected me.
Dylan understood. “Yes, some things can’t be rushed.” We exchanged knowing smiles. Ebenezer said nothing more, perhaps thinking we were strange. After a few bites, I sighed. “Dylan, I’m sorry. Because of me, you couldn’t see your family, tell them you’re safe.” He’d jumped into the sea with me; his return would imply I was still alive. Even though he could have claimed he hadn’t found me, he’d stayed with me.
“It’s okay. I’ll ask for their forgiveness later,” Dylan said, his eyelids drooping. I knew he didn’t want me to worry; he cared deeply for his family. Ebenezer’s phone rang. He answered, then looked at me seriously. “It’s Marlon. He said we can meet tonight.”
“Much faster than I imagined,” my eyes narrowed. I suspected what had held Marlon back. In Elysiumville, only the Parker family could restrict his freedom. Wasn’t Hayden remarrying? He shouldn’t care about my actions. Or is he spying on Marlon?