Chapter 33
Lorraine crouched. "Hi, Jonas," she whispered, offering a small gift. Jonas's eyes lit up, but he glanced politely at me first. "Daddy, can I accept it?" I nodded. "Of course." "Thank you, Ms. Sommerton!" he chirped.
Dinner was wonderful. Ian, genuinely interested in my investments, peppered me with questions while Lorraine and Jonas played happily, Blossom becoming a new toy in their hands. Afterward, Lorraine insisted on helping with the dishes. I protested, but she wouldn't hear it. We worked side-by-side, her soft "Thank you for having us" a gentle murmur. "It's been a long time since I've felt such warmth," she added, a complex emotion in her eyes.
Hesitantly, I asked about her family. A sad smile touched her lips. "My parents divorced when I was young. It was just Ian and me. Seeing you and Jonas… it's beautiful. I envy it." "I'm sorry," I mumbled, at a loss for words. She shook her head. "There's nothing to be sorry for. Everyone has their path. I just… I hope someday I can have a family like this."
A wave of sympathy washed over me. Before I could offer comfort, Jonas burst in. "Daddy, Ms. Sommerton, what are you talking about? Can I join?" Lorraine's face brightened. "Of course! We were just talking about how delicious dinner was." "Daddy and I made it together!" Jonas declared proudly. A warm feeling bloomed in my chest. Even life's difficulties couldn't extinguish the warmth of a loving home.
Chapter 33
After Lorraine and Ian left, I sat lost in thought. The future was uncertain, but I knew I'd always strive to create a loving home for Jonas. Life, however, had other plans. Just as things settled, a frantic phone call shattered the peace.
"Cole? Xavier's in trouble!" Yvonne's voice was tight with worry. My heart lurched. "What happened?" "Another fight. He's in the hospital. Please come quickly!"
"I'll be there," I said, hanging up. Jonas slept soundly. Hesitantly, I woke him. "Jonas, wake up. Something happened to Xavier. We need to go to the hospital." He stirred groggily. "Daddy? What's wrong?"
Twenty minutes later, we found Yvonne and Jared in the emergency room. Yvonne rushed to me. "How's Xavier? Where's he hurt?" Impatient, I brushed past her and threw open the ward door.
Xavier, casually playing on his phone, had a bandaged pinky finger. Exasperated, yet amused, I checked with the doctor. "He's fine," the doctor said, "Just a minor scrape. Handle the paperwork and he's good to go." I paid the bill and left, too exasperated to argue with Yvonne's overreaction.
Yvonne called repeatedly afterward, but I only responded with brief texts.
Chapter 34