The Heart Left Behind (Cole and Yvonne) novel Chapter 188

Chad lifted his head from the depths of sorrow. His eyes were red and puffy, as if he had just been crying.

"Have you made up your mind?"

I watched as his gaze settled on me, filled with a mix of confusion and resignation. "I'll help you, but you have to help me deal with those people."

For him, it was a deal that cost nothing yet offered much in return.

"Don't worry," I said, meeting his eyes with unwavering confidence. "I keep my promises."

With our agreement sealed, I left the place.

…

At the hospital, Lorraine lay on the bed. Her expression was serious as she stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Lorraine," I called out, stepping closer.

Seeing her so lost and vulnerable sent a sharp ache through my chest. "How are you feeling? Do you feel hurt anywhere?"

If it weren't for Lorraine sitting here now, I knew it would be me in her place. I couldn't help but resent it.

Her vacant gaze finally lifted to meet mine. I tried to comfort her, "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. I'll bring in the best doctors to treat you."

"My dad…"

She knew me well enough that I wasn't the kind of person to simply let her father walk away from this unscathed.

"He wants to settle this privately. Are you sure you want to let him off that easily?"

I understood what Lorraine meant… She wanted me to let Gerald go.

I locked eyes with Lorraine and asked her again and again, "You don't hate him?"

"One… last time."

When I mentioned the words "settle privately", Lorraine's eyes turned red. Obviously, she couldn't believe it.

No one would believe that their own father would abandon them for a son who wasn't even related by blood, but that was the truth.

I watched as tears streamed down Lorraine's face. Then, I reached out to wipe her tears away. Patting her head, I said, "Focus on recovering first. We'll deal with your father's situation once you're better."

I knew she wasn't reassured, so I gave her a promise she could hold onto.

"Can you use your hand?" I glanced down at her wrist and sighed.

"I'm still able to hold a spoon."

"Let me do it."

I reached past her outstretched hand, silently gesturing for her to open her mouth.

She hesitated for a moment but eventually gave in. Just as she swallowed her first spoonful of soup, the door was pushed open.

Yvonne stood at the entrance with Jonas by her side. The two of them frowned at me in unison.

"Ms. Sommerton, why are you in the hospital?" Jonas broke free from Yvonne's hand and dashed toward Lorraine, clearly about to throw himself at her.

I quickly scooped him up and said, "Ms. Sommerton isn't feeling well. How about we wait for her to get better before we play with her, okay?"

Jonas' eyes showed a flicker of disappointment, but he nodded obediently. "Okay…"

"Cole, instead of taking care of your own child, you're here looking after her?" Yvonne snapped.