The moment reached my door, and I couldn’t hold back my tears anymore. I could see just how much my parents were hurting. Yvonne used to be so close to them. She’d spend every winter and summer break at their place. Now, she wouldn’t even see them. They must be feeling so heartbroken.
I cried quietly for a while, and then came to terms with it. This was just a phase, and sooner or later, we’d get through it. My parents seemed to know I was hurting as well, so they just stopped mentioning Yvonne in front of me.
I kept going to work as usual. By the third day, my parents were getting a bit restless, and with their vacation almost over, I bought them plane tickets and saw them off at the airport myself. During that time, Jared’s parents treated my parents to dinner once. I’m not sure what they discussed, but when my parents came back, they told me that they respected my choice. Honestly, that really reassured me and gave me the strength I needed.
“Victoria, if you ever need somewhere to go after the divorce, just come home. You can always find something steady here,” my mom said, squeezing my fingers.
“She’s gotten used to living in the city. She might not fit in back home anymore. It’s up to her,” my dad chimed in.
I nodded to them. “I know. I’m not a kid anymore. I’ll be fine.”
After seeing my parents off, I headed back to the office. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I heard laughter drifting from the meeting room.
A voice sounded, “Amy, is it really that far away? Is it really dangerous? You actually went exploring in deserted caves? That’s so cool! When I grow up, I want to be just like you.”
“Really? You’ve climbed snowy mountains? And your biggest dream is to conquer Everest? That’s the tallest one in the world!”
I instantly recognized Yvonne’s voice. Taking a deep breath, I walked by the door as if I didn’t care, keeping my composure. Just then, the chatter inside suddenly stopped.
When I walked into my office, I saw a little flower made out of toy blocks sitting on my desk. Next to it was a note, scrawled in Yvonne’s messy handwriting: “[Mom, I’m sorry. Here’s a flower for you.”
I stared at it for a long while. Then, I gently moved it aside so I could get back to work. Emotions were just part of being human, but they could really mess with you.
Back when Yvonne would show a little gratitude and give me something, it would’ve made my whole day. But now, I was forcing myself to shove those feelings down. When I thought about everything I’d done for her, it just left me feeling numb inside.
I couldn’t help but suspect Jared had Yvonne bring me this little present, hoping it’d spark some motherly feelings I barely had left. Gotta admit, Jared really knew how to pull people’s strings.
But for someone who had already stared death in the face, kindness was a fatal weakness. Keeping my heart hard—that was just how my life worked now.
My office door was gently pushed open, and Yvonne cautiously poked her head in. She didn’t say a word, just kept stealing glances at me. I treated her as if she was invisible.
Yvonne waited for a while, and when I still didn’t call her over, she started to get a little sulky. In the end, she quietly closed the door.
Just a few minutes later, she came back and opened the door again. This time, she wasn’t sneaking glances. She stood there, nervously twisting her fingers, her big eyes full of grieved innocence as she looked at me.
Chapter 205
“Get out. Don’t bother me while I’m working,” I said coldly.
Yvonne suddenly burst into tears. Then she threw the door open and ran out.
It wasn’t long before Jared came back, leading a bawling Yvonne by the hand, and knocked on my office door again.