Sally looked shocked, and a bit annoyed. “In-laws, I called you here to discuss the kid marriage. You should help us out. Victoria is your daughter; she’ll be to you.”
My dad’s face grew serious. “That depends on who’s at fault. If Victoria did something wrong, we’d set her straight. But she hasn’t done anything.”
My mom nodded. “That’s right. We may not be as rich as the Holcomb family, but even if they got divorced, we can still make sure Victoria has food on the table.”
Jared’s face went ghostly pale. He blurted out, “Mom, Dad, I know I messed up. Please, just give me a chance to fix things. Let Victoria and I get back together.”
I glanced at Jared, who looked frantic, but he wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were locked on my parents. Instead, my gaze met Yvonne’s. She had her arms wrapped tightly around Jared’s neck, her face buried against his chest.
When she heard about the divorce, she was clearly startled, but it didn’t take long before she shot me a furious glare.
My dad could tell I’d put up with a lot. They stood up and said, “Jared, this is between you and Victoria. We’ve never meddled in her choices. We raised her to be well-educated and considerate."
“If there’s something she can get past, she’d have figured it out herself. She doesn’t need us to talk her into anything.”
My mom nodded. “Exactly. Victoria’s always been a top student, quick on her feet. She’s gentle and never unreasonable. We know she’ll make the best decision for herself.”
“Hey, in-laws, why are you pushing for them to break up instead of making peace? This is about both our families!” Sally jumped up and hurried after my parents, trying to block their way.
I stood up as well and said to Sally, “Mom, I’ll be going, too.”
“Victoria, this is your home. Where do you think you’re going?” Sally blocked my path, her tone full of authority.
I quickly stepped around her and made for the door.
Just then, a small figure darted over. I turned. It was Yvonne.
I thought she might try to hold me back, but at the doorway, she suddenly shoved me, and my foot landed outside the door.
“Go away! If you don’t want Dad, don’t want me, or even this family, then just go. Don’t ever come back. I never want to see you again!” Yvonne yelled at me, her voice echoing through the hall.
Jared rushed over and pulled Yvonne into his arms, trying to calm her down. He glanced at me and said, “Go be with your parents for now. I'll talk to Yvonne.”
In that moment when she shoved me out, my heart grew even colder. Without looking back, I strode toward my car.
Behind me, I could hear Yvonne crying her heart out. No matter what anyone said, it just wouldn’t stop.
Seeing all this, my parents were clearly upset too. My mom started to move toward Yvonne to comfort her, but my dad gently stopped her, shaking his head. Tears welled up in her eyes as she leaned into his shoulder.
I walked over, my eyes rimmed with tears, and said, “Dad, Mom, let’s go to my apartment.”
They nodded, got into my car, and we drove away from the villa together.
We drove in silence, me just keeping my eyes on the road. Before anything else, I took them to a restaurant for dinner.
Chapter 196
In the private room, my mom was still crying. Maybe it was after Yvonne shoved me and broke down herself. She just couldn’t stop.
“Dad, Mom, have some coffee,” I said, guilt gnawing at me. I hadn’t been able to handle this mess, and now I’d dragged them into it too.