Chapter 20

Lucy burst into laughter. “Don’t you want to get back at Hayden? Date someone younger; it’ll drive him crazy.”

“Is it really worth using myself for revenge?” I replied with a wry smile. I wasn’t interested in schemes that hurt both sides.

“Then do it for yourself. You’re going to date again someday. Don’t get stuck on someone like him. Come on, let’s go inside.” Lucy urged, pulling me into the private room.

The lively room fell silent as we entered. Every pair of eyes turned to Lucy and me. The lighting was bright enough to reveal everyone’s expressions—surprise, happiness, disdain, and mockery. But the most intense gaze came from Dylan Zamora.

He attended the same university as I did, but he was two years younger. Recently, the school invited notable alumni to speak, and I was among them. Lucy later joked that they only wanted my donation. Whether I was impressive or not was irrelevant; my willingness to support the school mattered.

Due to some school-related issues, Dylan and I had exchanged contact information. He’d asked me out twice, but I’d declined both times. Loving Hayden had drained me, especially since we weren’t even divorced.

Lucy thought highly of Dylan and often tried to set us up. He possessed a youthful spark that Hayden lacked, radiating fresh, lively energy. Most importantly, he always seemed focused on me. Lucy frequently asserted that Dylan was superior in many ways and that I should seek someone like him.

I caught Dylan’s gaze for a fleeting moment before looking away. Gradually, the room buzzed again.

“Yvonne, long time no see. What have you been up to?”

“She’s Mrs. Parker now; it’s not like we can just see her anytime.”

“Oh, Yvonne, why didn’t you bring your husband?”

Being classmates, they were all too familiar with my history, and they weren’t holding back, peppering me with pointed questions.

I forced a smile and was about to answer when Lucy interjected. “How can you expect her to meet Mr. Parker? And who brings a partner to a class reunion? Don’t you all know the rules?”

The atmosphere tightened, but everyone fell silent. The Parker family had a reputation, and no one was foolish enough to provoke them. Dylan seized the opportunity, moving closer and quietly saying, “Yvonne, come sit here.”

I frowned slightly. Reluctantly, I followed him, not wanting to be the center of attention. As soon as I sat down, my phone buzzed. It was Hayden.

Hayden calling me? I was always the one to reach out; he usually brushed off my calls or hung up immediately. If he had something to say, he delegated it to the butler or his assistant.

I was stunned. It had been so long since he called—maybe ten years. My grip tightened on the phone; I even noticed my fingertips turning white.

Time seemed to slip away until Dylan gently prompted, “Aren’t you going to answer, Yvonne?”

Snapping back to reality, I ended the call without answering and slipped the phone back into my bag. “Just a scam call,” I said softly.

Dylan looked surprised for a moment. He’d seen the caller ID and knew it was Hayden. But he said nothing, merely smiling. “That scammer has good timing,” he remarked.

His comment startled me, and I laughed awkwardly. “I guess he missed the point.”

Soon, the table’s attention returned to me. “Yvonne, you’ve been married for over a year. When do you think you’ll have a baby? We’re all waiting to be godparents,” someone asked.

Lucy looked at me, concerned. She’d defended me countless times. I didn’t want her to take any heat for me, so before she could speak, I quickly replied, “Not anymore. I’m about to get a divorce.”

The room went deathly silent. Eyes widened; the curiosity in the air was palpable. They were clearly eager for more gossip.

“Yvonne,” Lucy called softly, attempting to intercede.

I shook my head. “It’s old news. Guys, no more ‘Mrs. Parker,’ please.” I was getting a divorce anyway; it was better to be upfront. “Are you really getting divorced? Why? You used to be so in love with Mr. Parker,” someone blurted out.

“Not anymore,” I replied honestly. “People change.”

There was a brief lull before Philip, our former student council president, smiled to lighten the mood. “So Yvonne will be back on the market. All you secret admirers, get ready!”

I couldn’t help but give a small, wry smile.

Everyone embraced Philip’s comment. “Right, Yvonne was the queen bee of our school. Lots of guys would be lining up.”

“Don’t get any ideas. Yvonne wouldn’t give you the time of day,” some of the girls teased.

“That’s just a frog dreaming of kissing a princess, isn’t it?” one joked.

Laughter filled the room, and the heavy topic of divorce was quickly dismissed.

During dinner, Dylan was the perfect gentleman, ensuring my plate was never empty. I felt embarrassed and avoided his gaze. Afterward, he insisted on driving me home.

“No, that’s okay, I—” I tried to protest, but Lucy interrupted. “Yvonne, can I borrow your car? I didn’t bring my driver today.” Before I could object, she snatched my keys and nudged me toward Dylan.

“Lucy!” I wanted to run after her, but Dylan smiled and said, “Let me take you home, please.”

I hesitated, biting my lip. Finally, I decided to be blunt. “Dylan, I’m a few years older than you, and I’ll be divorced soon. You deserve someone better; don’t waste your time on me.”

I expected him to consider my words, but he responded immediately. “Liking someone has nothing to do with age or divorce, does it? To me, you’re the best.”

I stood there, taken aback. The intense adoration in Dylan’s eyes was familiar. For the past ten years, I’d worn that same expression when looking at Hayden.

Just as I was trying to respond, my phone buzzed again—Hayden was calling once more.