The Heart Left Behind (Cole and Yvonne) novel Chapter 87

"You think I don't want to see him?" I snapped, glaring at Yvonne.

She froze, caught off guard by my sudden retort. Her eyes welled up with tears, a performance I'd seen far too many times.

"Cut the act," I said coldly. "No one's here to buy it."

Grandma sat silently, her expression unreadable. I wasn't sure whose side she'd take, but I wasn't about to back down.

"Yvonne, I've warned you before to treat Xavier better. Today's display has me seriously questioning if you've been mistreating him."

"How dare you accuse me of that?" Yvonne's voice rose, her indignation sharp and biting. "He's my son. Why would I ever harm him?"

Grandma finally intervened, rubbing her temples. "Enough, both of you. Cole, don't accuse someone without proof. And Yvonne, your theatrics are exhausting."

She shifted in her chair, her tone softening as she addressed Yvonne, "You're not getting any younger. Raising a child on your own is hard, especially with a boy like Xavier. Why not come back home? It's better for everyone."

Yvonne hesitated, her eyes darting between me and Grandma.

"Mrs. Joplin Senior, I—"

"I won't allow it."

My stomach dropped.

"Where?" I asked, already on edge.

Jonas pointed toward the back of the house, his tiny hand trembling. "That way, Daddy… In the backyard."

No one went to the backyard anymore. It was overgrown with weeds, and the paths had long since been swallowed by nature. The thought of someone wandering in there, especially someone unfamiliar with the property, sent a chill down my spine.

"Are you sure she went in that direction?" I asked, gripping Jonas' shoulder.