The Heart Left Behind (Cole and Yvonne) novel Chapter 97

Lorraine looked stunned. She didn't expect me to agree so quickly. Not even a question about why she was doing this or if she was sure.

"Aren't you mad?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I respect your choice." I leaned back slightly, observing her lowered gaze. She seemed almost disappointed as if she had expected me to argue.

"I do care about you," I admitted, keeping my tone even. I was never one to hide my feelings. "But I don't want to hold you hostage in a relationship. I'm looking for a partner, not someone who constantly tiptoes around my emotions, too afraid to upset me."

Lorraine stayed quiet, staring at the far wall. Her lips were pressed together tightly like she was fighting back something. Finally, she said in a trembling voice, "I'll give you back the house and the land. I can't keep them now."

"What's the matter? We can't even stay friends?" I asked, raising a brow.

She blinked, caught off guard.

"It's just a house, Lorraine. And as for the land…" I paused, carefully choosing my words. "Think of it as a gesture of goodwill."

"That's far too generous for a simple gesture."

"I don't think so. I see you as a close friend. Friends deserve nice things."

Lorraine understood the implication. I wasn't giving her the land out of pity or obligation—it was because I valued her. She nodded, no longer pushing back. That was one of the things I had always admired about her—she wasn't the type to cling or make a scene.

Still, her indecisiveness today was unexpected. Was Grandma's meddling the real reason? I pushed the thought aside; there was no point dwelling on it.

"I'll grab us something to drink," she said suddenly, standing up. Maybe she was trying to mask her discomfort. When she moved to clear the table, I reached for the plates, but she gently stopped me.

"No need, I've got it."

Only then did she cover her face and slowly crouch down as silent tears streamed down her cheeks.

In the car, I reached for the small trinket hanging from the rearview mirror. It was a souvenir Lorraine had given me from one of her trips. I kept it there because it made Cole smile every time he saw it.

It was time to take it down.

I glanced back at her window one last time, letting out a long sigh. "It is what it is," I muttered to myself. Some people weren't meant to be together no matter how good the relationship was.

Whether it was Grandma or Lorraine's own doubts, the result would be the same. Lorraine hadn't made an impulsive decision; she had thought it through.

And me? I never went after people who left. That was just who I was.

When I got home, Jonas was already fast asleep. I didn't tell anyone about what happened tonight. Truth be told, there wasn't anything to share. If we were never officially together, could it even be called a breakup?