The Heart Left Behind (Cole and Yvonne) novel Chapter 90

Lara hesitated, glancing nervously at Grandma. Xavier had been under her care since he was born. Sure, he was spoiled and reckless, but deep down, he was a sweet kid. She figured his behavior today was just a knee-jerk reaction to hearing I was planning to marry Lorraine.

She said cautiously, "Mr. Joplin, that storage room hasn't been used in years. It's in pretty bad shape..."

"What, has it collapsed?" I snapped, my patience razor-thin.

"No, of course not!" Lara quickly shook her head. Everyone could tell I wasn't in the mood for excuses.

"Then get it ready," I ordered sharply.

Xavier didn't know exactly what the "dark room" was, but judging by the looks on everyone's faces, he could tell it wasn't anywhere he wanted to go.

"Mommy! I don't want to go!" He cried, his small arms reaching out toward Yvonne, desperate for her to carry him.

"Xavier..." Yvonne covered her mouth with one hand, tears brimming in her eyes as she watched her son struggle.

"Cole, if you're mad, take it out on me. Don't punish him," she pleaded, stepping closer.

"A father is responsible for his child's behavior. That's how I was raised, and I won't let him grow up thinking there are no consequences for his misdeeds." My tone left no room for negotiation.

Lara returned quickly, saying she had cleared out the storage room. Grandma stepped forward, her arms spread wide to block my path, her expression a mix of anger and resolve.

"Hand over Xavier," she commanded, her voice firm.

"Grandma, he's my son. Let me handle this." I sidestepped her, gesturing for Murphy to take Lorraine, who was unconscious, to the guest room. "Let her rest," I added. I needed to focus on Xavier now, and Lorraine didn't need to witness this.

When Lorraine finally woke up about half an hour later, I avoided going to see her. I wasn't sure how to face her. She had come here as my guest, only to get injured because of my son's recklessness. It was shameful.

"Make sure she gets some rest," I told Murphy while rubbing my temples. "I'll talk to her tomorrow."

Grandma came by while I was in the study. She peered through the window into the storage room where Xavier was locked. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, her hands clutching her cane tightly.

Downstairs in the living room, I found Yvonne sobbing uncontrollably with her face buried in Jared's chest. She clung to him as though he were her lifeline.

"He has no right to keep Xavier locked up!" she cried between shallow gasps. "He's my son! He can't just lock him away like that!"

Jared gently patted her shoulder, his expression hardening. "What kind of father does that? A real parent puts their kids first. You and Xavier deserve better," he said, his voice laced with disdain.

I had heard enough. Leaning against the doorway, I crossed my arms and smirked coldly. "You two really think I'm afraid to deal with you? That I've been staying quiet out of weakness?"

Having heard enough, I looked at the two of them who were caught up in their cozy moment and let out a cold laugh. "Xavier is young now, and Lorraine might let it slide. But when he grows up, do you really think a matter like this would be so easy to resolve?"

Yvonne's face paled. "He's just a child! What does he know?" she insisted weakly.

"Xavier's just a kid, huh? Sure. But at his age, he already knows how to lead someone into a dangerous, abandoned backyard. Are you telling me he doesn't understand what he's doing?"