Chapter 55

"He's just a kid, Cole. Do you think Xavier really knows what it means to be happy or not? Just because he looks upset doesn't mean my parenting is the problem," Yvonne shot back. "What about you? Can you honestly say you haven't let him down?" Her words were sharp, but they played right into my hands. "I know I've let him down. That's why I'm standing here, trying to have a civil conversation with you. Do you think I enjoy wasting my time like this?" "What did you just say?" Yvonne blinked, clearly caught off guard. She'd never seen this side of me before—the one that wasn't smiling and was unwilling to simply smooth things over. I wasn't the easygoing Cole she was used to manipulating. "You've changed, Cole. You're bitter and spiteful, just like her," Yvonne spat, her voice dripping with venom. Even when her name was not explicitly mentioned, the mention of Lorraine made Yvonne's eyes darken with jealousy and anger. "You'd better not set a bad example for Jonas." "I think t