Chapter 15

Back home, I bathed Jonas and checked his scrapes. Thankfully, nothing serious. Lying in bed, he whispered, "Daddy, are we still a family with Mommy?"

I sat beside him, stroking his hair. "Jonas, no matter what, you'll always be my son, and Mommy's dearest son. We'll always be a family."

He nodded, closing his eyes. Watching him sleep, I felt a knot in my stomach. I texted Yvonne, hesitant but finally hitting send. "My attitude wasn't great today. I'll be better. Xavier's being rebellious; keep an eye on him."

No reply. Not even when I woke.

The next morning, at school, we ran into Yvonne and Xavier. Xavier pounced on Jonas. "Jared's taking us to the amusement park tonight! Come on!"

Yvonne glanced at me, avoiding my eyes. "If you're free, bring Jonas."

Jonas tugged my hand. "Daddy, can I go?" Seeing his hope, I forced a smile. "Of course, son. I'll bring you."

After dropping them off, Yvonne called out, "Cole, wait."

I stopped, but didn't turn. "What?" My voice was flat.

"Uhm… would you like to come to the amusement park tonight?"

I chuckled, finally looking at her. "What? Worried Jared can't handle two kids?"

She frowned. "Cole, can you not be like this? I'm doing this for the kids."

"For the kids?" I echoed softly, my gaze mocking. "If you really cared, you wouldn't have separated them. Stop pretending, Yvonne. I'll bring Jonas. That's it."

I left. In the car, I breathed deep, trying to calm the familiar simmer. After the divorce, every encounter with Yvonne required a conscious effort to stay calm. Not because of lingering feelings, but to avoid losing my temper in front of the children.

That afternoon, Jonas's teacher called. "Mr. Joplin, could you come to school? Jonas has been crying, inconsolable."

My heart leaped. I dropped everything and rushed to the school. Jonas, always so sensible, rarely cried.

In the classroom, he was curled in a corner, tears streaming down his face. Xavier stood nearby, looking unconcerned.

I crouched beside Jonas. "What happened, son?"

He sobbed, "Xavier… Xavier said Mommy doesn't want me anymore. He said I'm unwanted."

I stood, glaring at Xavier. "Why did you say that?"

He pouted. "I'm not lying! Mommy likes me better. It's not my fault we're separated."

Chapter 16