The Heart Left Behind (Cole and Yvonne) novel Chapter 154

"I do."

I smiled, deeply satisfied after receiving Lorraine's response. At least she hadn't rejected my proposal.

I glanced at Jonas, who was standing silently to the side, and felt a wave of relief. "Lorraine, you've been busy for my sake these past few days. It must've been exhausting."

Seeing the dazed look in her eyes, I reached out and gently cupped her face. "I want to give you an answer."

As I dropped to one knee, I was suddenly reminded of the time I had proposed to Yvonne. She had dismissed it with disdain, but now, Lorraine's eyes were red and full of disbelief.

I finally understood who was truly suited to be my partner. As for Yvonne, she might've resented marrying me from the very beginning.

"Will you marry me?"

Lorraine's voice trembled as she tried to respond. I wanted to give her a proper and complete wedding. I didn't want her to feel slighted just because this was my second marriage. "I…"

"I won't allow it." A childish voice rang out from the distance. I looked up to see Xavier holding Yvonne's hand as they stared in our direction.

Wasn't Xavier supposed to be at school today?

I instinctively turned to Jonas, who averted his gaze with guilt written all over his face.

"Joans, did you call him here?" I could immediately guess who was behind this.

"I thought Xavier shouldn't miss it," Jonas replied.

I frowned but didn't scold Jonas. He hadn't been mentally stable lately, and I was worried reprimanding him would only make things worse. As for Xavier, this kid was definitely up to no good.

Yvonne stood awkwardly to the side as if she was worried I might think she had put those words in Xavier's mouth. She crouched down and hurriedly covered his mouth. "Stop talking nonsense. This is your daddy's proposal."

"But why? Why won't Daddy marry you, Mommy?"

Xavier looked at us with wide-eyed innocence and blurted out, "Mommy, didn't you agree that this woman isn't good enough for Daddy?"

Lorraine, who had been standing quietly beside me, turned pale at his words. Once I sensed the change in her mood, my gaze hardened as I glared at Yvonne. "What have you been teaching Xavier at home?"

I was increasingly convinced that the kids shouldn't stay with her. It had only been a few days, and Xavier had reverted to his old ways.

"Don't pin everything on me, Cole. You think I'm not raising Xavier right? Are you doing any better?"

Yvonne's gaze shifted to Jonas, and she scoffed. "Look at Jonas. Does he even act like a normal kid anymore?"