Chapter 56

“Can you believe you’re even asking that? The woman you’re involved with had the nerve to insult me! I’ve never been so disrespected in my life!” Deborah fumed, her face twitching with anger.

I quickly patted her back, trying to soothe her. “Grandma, don’t let it get to you.”

“Was it Joanna who insulted you?” Hayden questioned, his deep eyes clouded with suspicion. He couldn't imagine Joanna, whom he perceived as understanding and gentle, behaving so poorly.

I noticed Hayden’s gaze shift towards me, and a wave of foreboding washed over me. I bristled defensively. “What are you looking at me for? You think I’m framing her!”

Hayden remained silent, his suspicion palpable.

Deborah immediately jumped to my defense. “Don’t pin everything on Yvonne. What happened was witnessed by everyone. If you let that woman step foot in our house again, you can count me out as your grandmother!”

Deborah’s stance was unwavering, and even Hayden didn’t dare argue.

That evening, Rita prepared a bath for me. While I lazily swirled my fingers through the floating petals, she remarked, “Mrs. Deborah Parker hates the idea of an affair. After this mess, Mr. Parker will definitely end things with his mistress!”

I wasn’t so sure Hayden would be that compliant. I was more curious about Deborah’s sudden change in attitude towards me. Grandma never really liked me before…

“Deborah might be stern, but she does like you,” Rita said with a smile. “She often tells me to have the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes.”

Some people just didn’t wear their hearts on their sleeves. Their affection remained understated.

“Is that so!” I was surprised, recalling that my favorite dishes had indeed been appearing at meals lately. It turned out this was at Deborah’s request.

“Don’t worry. Mr. Parker will figure this out eventually,” Rita said reassuringly.

I said nothing more, staring blankly at the petals.

I couldn’t care less what Hayden thought, but since Joanna and Sophia had their sights set on the cruise ship, I wasn’t going to let them have it.

After my bath, I went to the study to find Hayden in a bathrobe. As I approached, I heard him on the phone, saying, “Yeah, I’ll explain to Grandma. Don’t worry…”

His soft, coaxing tone—usually reserved for Joanna—left me numb, past heartbreak and bitterness. Impatiently, I knocked, unwilling to listen to his sweet nothings with another woman.

Hayden looked up, his eyes inscrutable. He quickly ended the call.

I walked in and stated curtly, “I want the cruise ship.”

The words brought back memories of Hayden’s former coldness, his reluctance to speak. Now, it seemed our roles were reversed.

Hayden’s eyebrows furrowed. A hint of coldness seeped into his voice. “If you felt this way, why act so high and mighty before?” He mocked me mercilessly.

I had rejected Xander so bluntly yesterday, and here I was, a day later, asking for the cruise ship. It did seem hypocritical.

But I no longer cared what he thought of me. I mimicked his sarcasm. “If you wait any longer, you might just use the cruise ship to make other women happy.”

Hayden’s expression darkened. “Why’d you send Joanna away?” he demanded.

He was clearly on Joanna’s side, and I wasn’t about to engage. “Grandma kicked them out, and you heard her reasons. I’m on thin ice myself.”

“Who am I to send away your precious Joanna?” Deborah’s points were valid, but she didn’t understand that Hayden and I were incompatible, with no future together. I certainly wasn’t going to win his favor.

“Nobody’s sending you anywhere,” Hayden interrupted irritably, handing me the cruise ship documents.

He was being direct, so I took the files without hesitation. As I turned to leave, he warned, “With this, you know what’s expected.”

He wanted me to talk Jamie out of the lawsuit. I understood, but I faced Hayden again. “What if Jamie refuses to budge?”

I was genuinely curious how Hayden would handle it. Dark scenarios flashed through my mind.

Hayden replied confidently, “He won’t.”

I was surprised. “You’re that sure?”

I’d seen Jamie and Nevin at odds. I wondered how Hayden could be so confident.

Hayden leaned back, his piercing gaze seeming to read my thoughts. “You persuaded him once, meaning he doesn’t want to clash with the Parker family. He has vulnerabilities.”

People with vulnerabilities were easy to manipulate, and I couldn’t dispute that. Jamie had his own business and a girlfriend returning; he had too much to lose.

“Did you see this coming?” I probed, still skeptical.

Hayden sidestepped the question. “You got plans for tomorrow night?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Why do you—”

“There’s a dinner party, and you’re my plus one,” Hayden said flatly.

I looked at him, baffled. “Why would you want me there? Take Joanna with you!” She’d be thrilled, and I planned to have dinner with Marlon; we’d been postponing a collaboration.

Hayden’s eyes hardened. “Yvonne, how long are you going to keep this up!”

“I’m not causing a scene. I’m doing you a favor! Take her. I’ve got other plans!” I retorted, then walked out. Business was more important than Hayden. The man who once meant everything to me had silently faded into the background.

That night, Hayden stayed out of the bedroom, and I was perfectly fine with that. I reviewed the Jackson Group’s revenue reports for the past six months, then slept when I grew drowsy.

Half-asleep, I felt a chill and reached for the blanket. I usually didn’t toss and turn, but perhaps I’d kicked the blanket off. I felt around, found nothing, then my hand touched something warm. Curious, I moved closer.

“So warm,” I mumbled, hugging the warm object tightly.