Chapter 196

The memory of Hayden absentmindedly playing with the little bear flashed into my mind, and a surge of resentment gripped me. But with Waylon looking up at me with those innocent eyes, I forced a smile and said, “The bear…”

“Did it fall off?” Waylon asked, his eyes filling with tears. “That’s the little bear I gave you…”

My throat tightened. Admitting I’d lost it was difficult. After a moment, I decided to calm him first. “No, the bear’s in the car. It can’t be lost, don’t worry.”

Waylon immediately wiped away his tears. “Then why didn’t you bring it back with you?”

“Well…” I racked my brain for an excuse.

Before I could stammer, Dylan rescued me. “The bear likes to stay in the car, doesn’t it? Now, Waylon, let’s hear the rest of the story. The little fox ran into the cave, shivering from the cold…”

“Then what happened next?” Waylon’s attention was diverted.

I sighed in relief, watching Josue silently lie beside Waylon, pulling the blanket higher. It seemed like only yesterday he was a premature baby, and now he’d grown into this sweet, chubby little boy.

Undeniably, Waylon looked so much like Hayden, especially with those pure, clear eyes. They were practically identical. But even so, I had no intention of letting them meet. Waylon was too young, still learning right from wrong, incapable of making such a significant decision. When he was older, I’d tell him everything, and whatever he decided, I’d respect it.

As I stood lost in thought, Waylon drifted off to sleep, lulled by Dylan’s soft voice. Dylan shot me a look, signaling me to leave.

We tiptoed out of the room, and as we closed the door, we both quietly exhaled, then exchanged amused glances. Ever since having a child, everything had become a little…sneaky.

Marlon, arriving upstairs at that moment, caught our awkward exit and, with a sympathetic smile, whispered, “He’s asleep?”

“Yeah,” I nodded.

Dylan stretched lazily. “Finally got him to sleep. He was dreaming about going to the amusement park with Marlon tomorrow.” That last bit held a hint of jealousy, I noticed.

I raised an eyebrow at Marlon. “Aren’t you supposed to be signing a contract tomorrow?” Marlon had much to handle after returning to the country and little free time. How would he manage a trip with Waylon?

“I’ll take him tomorrow afternoon,” Marlon replied, clearly wanting to move on. He quickly resumed a serious tone. “By the way, I heard the Parker family is still looking for Ethan.”

Three years had passed. “What do they want?” Dylan asked, surprised. When I left three years ago, I took Ethan with me. Marlon’s men had brought him from the hospital, still unconscious, and he’d been in a coma ever since. Experts said his brain was severely damaged and that he would never wake up, that he would remain in a vegetative state forever. But I refused to believe that. I kept searching for new doctors, different treatments. This time, returning to Elysiumville, I brought him back with me. Since modern medicine hadn’t helped, we decided to try traditional methods.

“I won’t let them succeed, no matter what they’re after,” I said, my voice colder, my teeth gritted in anger. Then I remembered something and looked at Dylan. “Dylan, could you check into Lucy and Joanna’s relationship tomorrow?”

“Lucy? And Joanna?” Dylan raised an eyebrow, clearly stunned. Back when Lucy was close to me, she’d often tried to create opportunities for me and Dylan. Dylan knew her well enough to know Lucy and Joanna had been enemies.

Seeing Dylan’s reaction, I sighed. “I ran into her last night. I saw her with Joanna…and they seemed really close.” I didn’t finish. There was much I didn’t understand; it was too early to jump to conclusions.

Marlon, overhearing us, spoke. “The Coffey family has been working closely with the Parker Group recently. Could that be why?”

I paused, surprised. If the Parker Group was involved, then it made sense that the Coffey family and Joanna would be in contact. Perhaps Lucy was involved with Joanna for that reason, too. So Hayden really had married Joanna? I’d only just returned and hadn’t kept up with their news, nor had I had anyone investigate.

Dylan, noticing my troubled expression, quickly said, “Don’t worry. I’ll look into it tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I nodded, before heading back to my room.

The next morning, I went to Jethive Group’s headquarters in Elysiumville, located across the street from the Parker Group’s office. Initially, I hadn’t planned on confronting Hayden, but when discussing a building purchase with Marlon, we noticed the building opposite the Parker Group’s headquarters was for sale. It felt like fate, so we decided to buy it. As for facing Hayden… I had prepared myself for this moment before returning. After all, we’d only had a troubled marriage; we didn’t have to be enemies, right? There was no need to avoid each other. Moreover, Jethive Group had just moved to Elysiumville, and there was much to organize. I didn’t have time to dwell on the past. Marlon had taken Waylon for the day, so I could focus on business. For the past three years, Marlon and Dylan had helped me immensely. They had practically raised Waylon together. I was at ease knowing he was with them.

At lunchtime, Dylan joined me for a meal.

“I went to the Parker Group and checked,” Dylan said, his gaze unwavering. “Lucy and Joanna have been meeting frequently. Joanna even visits her at the company. From what I’ve heard, they’re best friends.” As Dylan spoke, his eyes were fixed on me, probably worried I’d react violently.

My heart was a storm of emotions. But after carrying the weight of so much anger for three years, what more could shock me? Still, hearing that my old best friend had become friends with Joanna—my old enemy—wasn’t easy to digest. The red-braised ribs, which had smelled so delicious moments before, suddenly tasted bitter. I clenched my jaw, forcing a smile. “Looks like a lot has happened in these three years.”

“Even if Lucy thought you were dead, she still shouldn’t be best friends with Joanna,” Dylan said, his frustration evident.

I knew he was upset on my behalf, but… I sighed, refilling his cup. “Why not? Who someone chooses to be friends with is their own business. Who they like and dislike is up to them. Just because she and I were close before doesn’t mean she can’t be friends with someone else now.”

“That’s true,” Dylan said, still frustrated. “But Joanna was the one who caused all that trouble for you.”

Lucy’s actions truly baffled me.