Chapter 3

Beside them, Jonas couldn't help but retort, "This isn't right! My daddy said children shouldn't lie. Xavier, you've lied to Daddy today. You can't lie anymore. If he finds out, he'll get upset." Jonas had always been well-behaved and was the closest to me in this family. It wasn't surprising that he would stand up for me, yet it still brought a small sense of comfort to my battered heart. Jared was still trying to brainwash the two kids. "You're not lying. You guys came out to play with your mom, not by yourselves. How could that be considered lying? Your dad is just too strict. In fact, kids your age should be running around more. You'll be more healthy that way. "I've bought the camping gear, so you just need to have fun and not worry about anything else." Yvonne didn't contradict his words and even seemed somewhat emotional. "You spoil them too much," she said. "If only Cole treated the kids half as well as you do. That way, Xavier wouldn't keep demanding to go out and play all the time." Leaning against the wall, I felt a numb ache in my heart. To Yvonne, was I just a strict and rigid father? I always had the children's best interests at heart. I wasn't trying to stop them from having fun; I just wanted them to finish their homework first so that they could fully enjoy their playtime. My way of raising them was a balance of work and play. I couldn't just let them play all the time and forget about studying, could I? Whenever Xavier refused to study, I'd always try to persuade him gently. If he still resisted, I'd let him go play. I had never forced him, yet this was how he treated me. "Forget it," I thought, a wave of helplessness washing through me. Some things just weren't meant to be. At least Jonas still cared about me as a father, so the effort I put in over the years wasn't completely in vain. Lost in thought, I snapped back to reality when I heard Yvonne suggest that Jared stay the night. "You've been with us all day, and it's getting late," she said. "Why don't you just stay the night?" Hearing this, I immediately lost my composure. I was still the head of this house, and it wasn't up to Jared to just stay as he pleased. I straightened up and strode out of the study. Looking at them, I began, "He can't stay here!" The few people in the living room snapped their heads toward me. Surprise flashed in Yvonne's eyes. "You've been home? Why are you still awake when it's so late?" I sneered, "What else? Isn't this what you all wanted?" Glancing at Jared, I continued, "Besides, none of you are asleep. How could I sleep so early?" Yvonne's gaze flickered for a moment before she decided to feign ignorance. "I've no idea what you're on about, but it's getting late. Jared—" I interrupted her before she could finish. "Wyatt, see Mr. Lawson out! If his home is far away, book him a room at a hotel nearby. My wife and I need to talk, and it's not convenient for him to stay here." Wyatt Sorrel, the butler, quickly complied, preparing to escort Jared out. But Yvonne got upset. "You can just say what you need to. Jared isn't an outsider. I don't find his presence inconvenient." I felt momentarily dazed. Exactly, how could I have forgotten? Jared wasn't the inconvenience here—I was. Giving in at last, I looked Yvonne in the eye and said, "I want to talk to you about getting a divorce."