Chapter 89

I had changed significantly, especially in how I handled his affairs. Joanna’s call arrived during a silent moment. The phone vibrated steadily on the table, but Hayden only glanced at it, having no intention of answering. His suspicions about Joanna were intensifying daily. Suddenly, a sharp pain flared from his stomach injury. Hayden frowned in discomfort, his mind drifting to the memory of me tending his wound. She had been so focused, gentle, and skilled. But Joanna, upon seeing his injury, had only shown fear and unfamiliarity. The stark contrast in their reactions had already begun to make Hayden question events during his time abroad.

The maid, who had been lingering, hadn't yet left. Hayden lifted his gaze and asked, "Has Yvonne been home all year?" Although he'd already sent Richard to investigate, it would take time. The maid, however, knew Yvonne's whereabouts.

She hesitated. She’d wondered if Hayden would be angry, but hadn't expected such an unrelated question. Quickly regaining her composure, she replied, "I believe Mrs. Parker left around April for a little over half a month." She couldn't recall the exact dates, only that it was near the end of spring, before the weather became too hot.

At that moment, Hayden's heart seemed to stop. "April? Wasn't that exactly when I had the accident? Could it be coincidental? Did she…" he thought.

After a long pause, Hayden finally breathed again, desperate hope filling his eyes as he pressed, "Where did she go?" The question felt like his heart was being lifted by an invisible hand. The maid's three seconds of thought felt like an eternity to him. "She… I think she went back to her parents' house," she said.

The maid's answer shattered Hayden's hopes. He realized he’d been hoping she'd say I'd gone abroad. Only then could he prove I'd cared for him. "Forget it," he mused. "She wouldn't be so kind as to go abroad to take care of me." Hayden sighed, dismissing the absurd thought. Why would I even entertain such expectations? How ridiculous, he thought.

Noticing the change in Hayden's expression, the maid continued, "I heard that during that time, Mrs. Parker's mother's condition worsened, and she passed away. Mrs. Parker was heartbroken for a long time. She didn’t leave her bed for over half a month and barely ate. It was heartbreaking to see…"

"She didn’t leave her bed for half a month? She was seventeen?" Hayden furrowed his brow, pressing further. This was something he’d never known.

"Mrs. Parker refused to see a doctor. It took her several days before she would eat even a little. She looked so frail," the maid recalled with a deep sigh. Anger boiled beneath Hayden's gaze. "If she was in such a bad condition, why didn’t you tell me?" He hadn’t heard a single thing about me while he was abroad.

The maid trembled, her voice shaking. "I… I'm sorry, sir. It was Layla. She forbade us from telling you anything about what was happening at home… She thought it would upset you."

Hayden's eyes narrowed, the realization hitting him hard. Even though his mother wasn't in Elysiumville, she still controlled everything. While abroad, he'd wondered why he hadn't heard anything about me. Now he understood. It was his mother's doing. No wonder I hadn’t wanted to return to the Parker residence earlier.

After a moment, Hayden asked, "When did she come back?"

"The first time Mrs. Parker left, it was for over half a month. Then she came back, but not long after, she left again for a few days," the maid explained.

"She left twice?" Hayden's eyes darkened.

The maid nodded. "Yes." She wondered why Mr. Parker, who never cared about Mrs. Parker before, was suddenly so concerned.

"Go ahead and leave," Hayden said. The maid left, leaving the vast study silent. The empty house felt empty inside. The night breeze grew colder. After what felt like an eternity, Hayden stood, hands behind his back, walking to the window. He gazed at the darkening sky. "Yvonne, what exactly are you hiding from me?" he murmured.

The next morning, I woke early, skipping breakfast as I rushed out the door. Deborah was returning to the Parker residence, and if I didn’t leave, I’d be dragged back. I had no interest in those trivial matters; I wanted to focus on my career.

I didn’t go to the office; I’d missed the cruise ship inspection yesterday and needed to check in today. Lucy was already waiting.

"Hi, Yvonne! Over here!" She waved.

I jogged over. "How do you always manage to get here so early?"

"Hey, I don’t have a job keeping me busy," Lucy grinned, linking her arm through mine. "Thank goodness you called me out today. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself."

"You’re too relaxed. I’m kind of envious," I smiled. Lucy had a blessed life: loving parents, an adoring brother, a thriving family business, and stunning beauty.

"Come on. Let’s go take a look at the cruise ship," Lucy urged, pulling my hand.

The cruise ship had docked two days ago and was undergoing repairs. Xander had already informed the staff of my arrival, but they weren’t very cooperative.

"Hold on. Someone hasn’t arrived yet," I stopped, not rushing.

"Who?" Lucy peeked over her shoulder.

I squinted at the Pax Oceana, speaking calmly, "Richard, Hayden’s assistant. I’m coming alone today. I’m not sure how the people here will react to me; they might not show respect, so I need one of Hayden’s people with me." Normally, Hayden would have accompanied me; first, because he was the Parker heir, second, because I was his wife in name. But I hadn’t asked him; I simply didn’t want to see him. Even Richard was more tolerable.

"Okay," Lucy nodded, waiting. After a few moments, she added, "So, how are things going with Dylan?"

"What?" I feigned ignorance.

"Don’t act dumb. You two have been seeing each other a lot lately, haven’t you?" she teased.

Before she finished, a black Lincoln pulled up. I recognized Hayden’s car. I wondered if Richard had borrowed it when the driver’s side door opened, and Hayden stepped out.

"Why is he here?" Lucy asked, shocked, mirroring my confusion.