Chapter 42
“Dad, I believe you were innocent,” Yvonne mumbled.
But belief wasn’t proof.
The evidence against Andrew had been perfect.
Andrew hadn’t taken his own life out of guilt. He’d died in a car crash. It was ruled an accident. And yet, all this time, the Jamison name had never been cleared.
That was the deepest wound Yvonne carried.
“I’m going to buy back your final piece. And I’ll return to the design world as Andrew Jamison’s daughter.”
Yvonne broke down in sobs.
Every bit of pain and rage inside her had turned into her motivation.
Ian had come out to get a drink of water. He’d already been worried about Yvonne all night. As he passed her room, he could hear her crying.
Right then, a message lit up on his phone. It was from Jared.
“Ian, is Yvvy okay since she got home?”
Outside, Jared leaned lazily against the car door with a cigarette burning between his fingers. His eyes stayed fixed on Yvonne’s bedroom window.
That slap earlier had jolted something in him. He suddenly realized that he really couldn’t lose her. Things had spiraled beyond his control. He couldn’t accept that. After hesitating for a while, Ian headed back to his room and called Jared. “Jared, Yvvy’s in her room crying. I didn’t dare knock.”
Upon hearing that, Jared inmediately put out his cigarette. “She’s crying because of me?”
“She was already in a bad mood when she got back. She’s crying in her room because she didn’t want us to hear. She must be really upset.”
The more Ian thought about it, the more worried he became. The breakup was the only reason he could think of.
“We got into a fight earlier. I saw her on that blind date and lost it. I said some harsh things I shouldn’t have.”
Jared let out a long sigh of relief.
Earlier, he couldn’t accept how distant and cold Yvonne had become. Why did she seem completely unaffected when he was in so much pain?
It turned out she was just holding it in, saving her tears for when she was alone in her room. She was crying for him.
Ian explained, “The blind date tonight was set up by Mr. Quillan next door. Mom said Yvonne tried to refuse it, but she couldn’t. She definitely didn’t want to go.” At that moment, Jared felt every ounce of negative emotion inside him lift. “So she was forced into that date? I knew she couldn’t be interested in anyone else.” That made sense. Yvonne had clearly been reluctant about the date, but she’d still defended the guy in front of him. She’d just done it to get under his skin! “Ian, it was just a small argument between me and Yvvy. I’ll explain things to her. She’s talking about breaking up now because she’s hurt. We’re not over.” Jared reflected on himself too. As long as Yvonne still loved him, even if she broke up with him, he could still win her back. Their relationship as childhood sweethearts had almost consumed their entire lives.
Yvonne had said they weren’t even friends anymore. But of course she couldn’t be friends with the man she still loved so deeply.
Jared didn’t stay any longer. He got in his car and drove off.
The next morning, Yvonne was up early. She pressed a cold cloth to her swollen eyes, but it didn’t help much.
“Ian, make sure you study well and take care of Mom. I’m going back to Jeriton City today.”
She didn’t mention the Jamison’family’s scandal because she wanted to handle it on her own.
“Okay. Take care of yourself too, Yvvy,”
Seeing Yvonne looking so troubled, Ian.couldn’t help but feel deeply concerned.
After she left, Ian sent Jared another message. “Jared, you really need to make things right with Yvonne. She looked miserable after the breakup.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll officially be your brother–in–law the next time we meet.”
Jared felt his confidence return. He wouldn’t put more pressure on Yvonne right now. She needed space to cool off. Once she was ready, he would make the effort to woo her back.
He believed Yvonne missed himn. She couldn’t stand being apart for long. She’d be back to him soon enough.
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