Chapter 42

Unease gnawed at me. Xavier's recent actions, and Yvonne’s presence, were unsettling.

"Don't even look at me," Yvonne snapped. "No way I'm sharing a room with you, or Lorraine. Why would she?" She shrugged and started to leave.

"Mommy, where are you going?" Xavier's panicked voice stopped her. He sprinted after her.

"What's the matter? Sleeping on the streets now too?" Yvonne retorted. "Leave me alone!"

Xavier yanked his arm away, slapping me hard. I winced. Jonas, eyes wide with fear, grabbed Xavier’s struggling hands. "Xavier, stop! You hit Daddy!"

"He's a heartless jerk!" Xavier shot back.

"Heartless? I let him stay with Jonas!" I countered. "And who taught you that language? Jared? Your mother?"

Yvonne was wrong, but somehow I was the villain in Xavier's eyes. "Just give me back my mother!" he cried, tears welling. His tough exterior crumbled.

"I didn't make her leave," I said firmly.

Before I could continue, Lorraine grabbed my arm. "Let her come back," she whispered. "Let her stay. She can have my room."

Her calm masked her kindness. I knew she did this for me. But I immediately said, "No. I won't put you in that position." Yvonne was still my kids' mother. I couldn't let her sleep outside.

"I'll take the couch," Lorraine offered hesitantly. Jonas was too young to be alone.

"That's not a good solution," I said.

Lorraine blushed. "Then… maybe you could share a room with me?"

The idea, even after two kids, felt awkward. "That's… not a good idea," I mumbled.

What if I couldn't control myself? Lorraine's brow furrowed. "Then what are you going to do?"

"Why couldn't you have come another day?!" I snapped at Xavier.

"Why do you care?" he smirked, biting my arm.

"You little punk!" I hissed, jerking away as he darted off. Yvonne was gone.

"Get back here!" I yelled, panic rising.

Lorraine grabbed Xavier. "Xavier, stop being stubborn," she said firmly.

"Let go, you ugly witch!" he screamed, struggling.

"Xavier, stop this nonsense!" I roared.

Chapter 43