Chapter 57

In the pitch-black darkness, Hayden had barely settled when the woman beside him snuggled close. Even as a cool, detached man, he couldn't hide his surprise. He felt the difference between their bodies—hers soft and sweetly scented, a stark contrast to his own. A restlessness he'd suppressed for years threatened to surface.

Hayden's jaw clenched as he tried to untangle Yvonne's grip. But she quickly tightened her embrace, hugging him tighter. "Stay put. Keep me warm!" she added, her voice playful and teasing. This was a side of her Hayden hadn't seen since her return. His grip unconsciously loosened.

For some reason, he found the woman he once wouldn't have given a second glance rather cute. Instead of pushing her away, as planned, his hand gently patted her, almost soothingly.

After what felt like an eternity, she mumbled against his chest, "Hayden, you scumbag…" Their proximity allowed him to hear her clearly. Hayden's lips thinned, his hand pausing mid-pat. His eyes turned icy, and without hesitation, he pushed her away.

The abrupt shove jolted me awake. I groggily sat up, realizing I was in our bedroom. I sat up fully after feeling the push. Glancing over, I saw Hayden.

Before I could speak, he said coldly, "Stop snoring." My confusion and indignation were instantly stifled. I never snored; I was a quiet sleeper. But he sounded so certain. After his comment, he turned away, pulling most of the blanket with him. His expression was pure disdain.

"Were you the one who snored?" I asked, refusing to admit to such an embarrassing claim. Mirroring his actions, I grabbed the other side of the blanket, turned my back, and lay down. I felt cursed being with him. Such a lovely dream, so cozy, was shattered. Resentfully, I drifted back to sleep.

With everything happening, I was utterly exhausted.

Early the next day, Yosef called, saying, "Yvonne, where are you? Get home by noon." He sounded serious, and I suspected it concerned Sophia's dismissal last night—drama I wanted no part of. "Dad, I'm heading to the office. I have a ton to do today. No can do."

"What do you mean by that? Get your butt back here. Don't tell me you're blowing off your mother's affairs too!" Yosef was clearly angry, mentioning my mother to emphasize his point.

I frowned, weighed my options, and decided to return. I could brush off many things, but my mother was different.

As soon as I entered, I saw Sophia sobbing uncontrollably, her face buried in her hands. Yosef was beside her, trying to calm her. "Alright, stop crying. It isn't good for the baby."

"You're only worried about the kid, and I'm being pushed around!" Sophia wailed, thrashing like a child having a tantrum. My stomach lurched. Thank God I hadn't eaten; otherwise, I'd be sick.

They heard my footsteps and looked up. Sophia's eyes were filled with resentment, and Yosef's face darkened. "Yvonne, what really happened last night? Why did you kick Sophia?" Sophia sobbed dramatically beside him.

"It wasn't me. It was Hayden's grandmother," I explained calmly.

"Mrs. Deborah Parker?" Yosef hesitated. "Isn't that old woman usually incapacitated? Why would she suddenly evict Sophia?"

Seeing this, Sophia wailed louder. "Yvonne said I was nobody and didn't stop Mrs. Parker at all. I was kicked out in front of everyone! It's so humiliating! I… I might as well just die!" She stood and attempted to headbutt a wall.

Yosef was startled and quickly caught her. "Sophia! Don't do anything foolish! You're carrying our son!"

A tremor ran through me; they must have discovered Sophia was carrying a son. No wonder Yosef was so supportive and had called me back. It seemed Sophia was about to become the queen of the Jackson family.

"What's the point of carrying this child? Once he's born, he'll be pushed around, too! Might as well just die with me now!" Sophia continued to wail.

Yosef pulled her onto the sofa and turned to me fiercely. "Apologize to Sophia right now!"

"Why should I?" I retorted impulsively. The next moment, a hard slap landed on my face.

My mind went blank; my head snapped to the side. The burning pain was a stark reminder of what had just happened. Growing up, Yosef had never struck me. When Nancy was alive, he doted on me, granting my every wish. But now, for an outsider, he hit me. Perhaps I was the outsider now.

I didn't cry or make a scene. After a while, I looked up at the man I called father. Time had etched many lines onto his once young and handsome face. His gaze held no trace of the old affection and love, only disgust and hatred.

It was hard to believe that two months ago, after Nancy's death, he'd held me and cried, apologizing to both of us. So quickly, I had become the object of his loathing. He was like this, and so was Hayden. Perhaps men were inherently fickle and unreliable. I clenched my teeth, trying to ignore the sharp pain in my heart.

Yosef seemed to regret his action, his gaze avoiding mine. "Yvonne, how did you become like this? Sophia is my wife, and we are family now. You should respect her!"

"What do you mean by that? I don't care whose wife she is, and I'm not apologizing to her! You called me back for Mom's affairs, so spill it. What's the matter?" I said through gritted teeth, my patience exhausted.

Before Yosef could answer, Sophia feigned a choked voice. "Yvonne, it's fine if you don't like me, but your mother has already been buried. Why would you disturb her? Her grave must not be moved."

I sensed something was wrong and narrowed my eyes. "Why not? Where my mother's grave is doesn't seem to concern you."

Sophia averted her gaze, stammering. "I… she…"