Chapter 34

I couldn’t remember how I was pulled from the water. All I knew was that, just as I felt myself drowning, someone yanked me back to life. After a bout of coughing, fresh air filled my lungs. My mind began to clear, and that all-too-familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Yvonne, you nearly sent me into the water!" Nevin sat on the boat's edge, looking exhausted. He was a strong swimmer, but even he couldn't contend with Yvonne's grip. People who couldn't swim clung to anything, desperately holding on for dear life. Luckily for him, he made it out.

Before I could respond, Nevin yelled in pain, grabbing his leg as he tumbled back into the pool. "Ouch! I've got a cramp!" A huge splash erupted around him, and soon he was calling for help underwater. "Help me... help!" Even though he was a good swimmer, a cramp was serious. He'd already expended most of his energy and couldn't save himself.

I stood frozen in shock. Wait a minute. Nevin had tried to drown me, hadn't he? He'd deliberately rocked the boat, watching with a twisted grin as I splashed into the water. For a brief moment, I felt a mad urge to laugh—here he was, floundering just like I had, his energy nearly depleted.

But if I didn't help, I'd be haunted by guilt. Without hesitation, I grabbed the stick he'd used to provoke me and extended it. "Nevin! Grab this!"

After a struggle, I pulled him back onto the boat. Though exhausted, he was conscious. Once he'd wiped the water from his face and caught his breath, he looked at me, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Why did you save me?" he asked, clearly surprised by my lack of retaliatory malice.

"I'm not like you. I won't sit back and watch someone drown," I retorted, running my fingers through my long, soaked hair.

The servants, returning from the shore, noticed our predicament and rushed over. "Are you both alright?"

After my fall, the watercress punishment was postponed. A servant helped me bathe and change clothes, after which I went to Xander's study. Approaching the door, I heard an angry voice from within.

"Hiring him is one thing, but bullying Yvonne? Nevin, I don't know how to teach you. If anything happened to Yvonne, how would I explain it to her grandfather?" Xander shouted.

"She's fine," mumbled Nevin, already showered. Even now, with his nonchalant attitude, he thought he'd done nothing wrong.

Xander snatched two books from his desk and threw them at Nevin. They hit him with a thud and fell to the floor, but Nevin barely flinched. He'd been through this since childhood and was numb to it.

I sighed, knocked, and entered. "Xander."

When Xander saw me, his anger vanished, replaced by concern. "Yvonne, how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," I replied steadily.

"Did Nevin push you?" Xander asked immediately. No one fell in the water without reason, and he knew Nevin well.

Nevin held his breath, watching me intently.

After a pause, I said, "I was careless. Nevin even saved me."

The study fell instantly silent. Nevin looked the most shocked—he knew the truth. He stared at me wide-eyed, as if I'd lost my mind.

I knew if I told Xander the truth, Nevin would face serious consequences. But how would he retaliate? In that moment of panic, I considered leaving the Parker family and escaping the chaos.

Xander was surprised. But Nevin was his grandson, and he didn't want to punish him too severely. After a long pause, Xander said, "Is that so? It seems Nevin has finally learned to respect others?"

His words were a clear reminder to Nevin, who snapped back to reality. Though displeased, he said nothing more. The incident was settled. Xander turned to Nevin. "Didn't Yvonne help you with that problem with Jamie?"

"You should ask her," Nevin scoffed impatiently.

Xander glanced at me.

"Nevin didn't want my help, so I gave him what he wanted," I replied quietly.

"You're the one who called Jamie and told him to sue me!" Nevin practically shouted, his forehead veins bulging.

"Nevin," Xander scolded, his expression darkening. This silenced Nevin.

I didn't elaborate. "If there's nothing else, I'll go back to picking watercress."

"Have you lost your mind?" Nevin finally asked, confused. He couldn't believe I wanted to return after everything.

Xander gave him a sharp look. "Yvonne, you're still weak. Rest."

"Okay," I nodded and left.

Soon, Nevin caught up. "Hey! Why didn't you tell Grandpa the truth?" he asked, his confidence wavering.

I ignored him. Too lazy to explain.

Nevin paused, then said, "Don't think I'm thanking you." His tone didn't match his awkward expression.

I stopped, and he raised his hands. "W-What are you going to do?"

I squinted. "Why do you hate me so much? I haven't done anything to hurt you."

Nevin was silent. Finally, he blurted, "I just can't stand you, so what?"

That wasn't a solid argument. I turned to leave, not hearing him mumble, "It's because you took Hayden away."

Nevin held a years-long secret, never shared. It began when Hayden was in college. One day, they were playing basketball when Yvonne brought Hayden water. She left, and Hayden went to find her. Bored, Nevin followed. He saw Hayden kissing Yvonne, who'd fallen asleep under a tree.

Chapter 35

Hayden, who'd never shown interest in women, had kissed Yvonne. Nevin was stunned. Since then, he'd disliked her intensely. Whenever she was around, it felt like Hayden's attention was divided. But now, Nevin found Yvonne less irritating.

After a day at the Parker residence, I returned to Rosy House and, unsurprisingly, developed a high fever.

Rita touched my forehead and gasped. "You have a fever! I'll call Mr. Hayden Parker."

Huddled in bed, feverish and in pain, I heard her and scoffed silently. What was the point of calling Hayden? Why subject myself to humiliation? He wouldn't come; he'd probably say, "If she's sick, go to the hospital. Why are you calling me? I'm not a doctor."

As expected, Rita called repeatedly with no response. She summoned the family doctor.

After taking fever medicine, I drifted off. Deborah arrived at my bedside. In my daze, I felt her gently squeeze my hand.

She sighed. "Yvonne, look at you—so frail! I can't believe Xander sent you to pick watercress in this heat. When I get back, I'm giving him a piece of my mind. And where is Hayden? Why hasn't he come back yet?"

"He didn't answer his phone. I asked his driver, and he said..." Rita paused.

"Spit it out!" Deborah snapped.

Rita, scared, continued, "He said Mr. Parker is with Ms. Charlotte looking for houses."

"What? That brat! His wife is sick, and he's with another woman? Does he even know how to be a husband?" Deborah was furious.

My eyelashes fluttered; my nose felt sore. Maybe Hayden never truly saw me as his wife. The one he liked was Joanna.

That night, my fever persisted, and I was taken to the emergency room. I had an oxygen mask, heart monitor, and countless IVs.

I thought it was a simple fever, but it was much more serious. I lost track of time. Half-awake, I felt someone tucking me in and stroking my forehead, speaking softly.

I was too exhausted to remember anything. Was it Hayden? It didn't seem like him. He wouldn't be that gentle.

When I woke, it was afternoon. The first person I saw was Marlon, and I was genuinely surprised.

He noticed my shock and looked helpless. "Are you disappointed? Were you hoping it was Hayden?"

I didn't answer. I pulled the quilt tighter, sat up, and asked, "Why are you here?"

"I happened to be at the hospital last night and saw you in the emergency room," Marlon said, quickly changing the subject. "You're really sick; why isn't he with you?"

His accusatory tone made me chuckle. "Don't you know? He's with Joanna."

It was probably common knowledge in Elysiumville. If he were here, it would be strange.

Marlon's eyes widened. "You don't seem to care at all."

"Does caring even help?" I retorted. Being sick drained my energy, and I didn't want to be nice. I lacked the patience to talk about Hayden.

Marlon wasn't angry. He nodded seriously. "You're right. It's best to get rid of a guy like that so he doesn't become a burden."

I chuckled. "Well, it's up to you, Mr. Warner. If you're willing to give me a little more of the profits, I can feel confident enough to ditch..."