Chapter 4
Ian shrank back in Noelle’s arms when he saw Hector. He was so scared that he couldn’t stop trembling.
Noelle’s heart twisted painfully, and she held him tightly as she looked at Hector icily. “It’s none of your business.”
Hector frowned. Noelle and Ian had always clung to him in the past, and they’d looked at him with love-filled gazes. This was their first time being so cold to him, and he felt uncomfortable for some reason.
Soon, however, he went back to being cold and aloof. “Lindsey has just returned after a divorce, and it’s not easy for her to raise Micah alone. That’s why I’m helping in any way I can. Our son is fine, so don’t get your panties in a bunch over this.”
Noelle felt like she’d been stabbed. “So, you do remember that Micah is the son Lindsey had with someone else and that Ian is your flesh and blood! Yet you still tricked him into that operation! Do you know how much we’ve sacrificed for you over the years?”
Hector looked at her icily. “I told you to leave when I went bankrupt, but you insisted on staying. I told you I didn’t want the baby, but you insisted on having it. I’ve not forced you two into doing whatever you’ve done over the years. You two did it willingly, didn’t you?”
Noelle’s ears buzzed at his words, and she trembled. Her eyes reddened as she told herself that he was right. She was the one who’d loved him so deeply that she’d lost sight of herself—she’d been naive enough to think he would eventually turn back and see her.
She wouldn’t do that anymore, though.
Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She said, “You’re right. I was so pathetic.”
Irritation surged in Hector when he saw her like that. He gave Noelle and Ian one last cold look before turning and leaving.
…
Noelle and Ian recuperated in the hospital for the next few days. When the nurses chatted, they talked about how considerate Hector was toward Lindsey and Micah.
“I heard Mr. Yarrow bought Ms. Sutton a set of jewelry worth millions of dollars. He also bought her son a limited-edition toy—he got him the full set, too!”
“He even took them to an upscale restaurant yesterday. The boy wanted to have ice cream, so Mr. Yarrow bought a whole ice-cream truck for him!”
Noelle’s heart no longer hurt as she listened to them.
On the day she was discharged, she brought Ian to a theme park that he’d always wanted to visit. She bought him things that she would never have wanted to spend money on in the past—cotton candy, a balloon, and even a toy car he loved.
Ian’s eyes shone brightly as he held the things. But when he saw other children being carried by their fathers, he lowered his head.
“Mommy.” He suddenly looked up and did his best to put on a smile. “I’m happy enough with you by my side.”
Noelle’s nose prickled. She rubbed his head and asked, “Do you want to have a go on the go-kart? I’ll go with you.”
When they were buying tickets for the go-kart, a staff member enthusiastically recommended a package to them. “If there are three of you, do you want to consider getting the family package? It’s more worth it!”
Ian shook his head. “We only need two tickets. I don’t have a dad.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” A cold voice rang out behind them.
Noelle turned to see Hector standing there while holding Lindsey’s and Micah’s hands. She looked at him calmly and asked, “Did he say anything wrong? Have you ever spent a day with him?”
Hector was rendered speechless.
The staff member didn’t notice anything was wrong and continued promoting the package. “Get a family package, sir! You’re handsome, your wife is beautiful, and your son is adorable. It’s clear that you three are a happy family!”
Lindsey loved hearing that. She happily bought a family package.
Ian lowered his head and clutched the hem of Noelle’s shirt tightly as his eyes reddened.
They entered the go-kart arena. Noelle had never tried this before, so she kept to the side of the arena and drove slowly, not wanting Ian to get hurt.
Meanwhile, Hector patiently taught Micah how to control the go-kart. His tone was unbelievably gentle. “Yes, that’s it. Take it slow…”
It was a patience that Noelle and Ian had never seen or experienced.
Micah soon got everything down pat and clamored about wanting to drive alone. Lindsey smiled and agreed. She rented him his own go-kart. Then, she and Hector idyllically drove around the arena.
Once they were further away, Micah abruptly turned his go-kart around and hurtled straight at Noelle and Ian. “How dare you cling to being Mr. Yarrow’s wife and son, you two pieces of trash? Make way for me and Mommy!”
He rammed right into them with a loud scream. There was a deafening bang.
