Chapter 155 Albert Comes to Yvette's House for Dinner
The tension in the living room was so thick it could be cut with a knife, and neither of them was about to blink first.
Outside, the sun was blazing, throwing light into the room and making funky patterns on the old wooden floor.
Lassie stared at Yvette for a few seconds before letting out a snarky laugh. "Are you serious right now? You got knocked up, tied the knot, lost the baby, and now you want out? If you wanted someone who actually loves you, why'd you marry Albert in the first place? I thought you had more sense than that."
Yvette bit her lip, trying hard not to shake. "Yeah, I messed up. Can't I change my mind now?!"
"Change? How? If you ditch Albert, your life’s gonna be a train wreck!" Lassie jabbed a finger at Yvette's forehead. "Wayne and I busted our butts to get you through school. He worked himself sick, and we gave you everything. And this is how you repay us?"
Lassie’s voice got louder, "You know the lady next door? She was all smiles when she got divorced. But then what? She lost her job, couldn’t find another, and had to deal with a bratty kid. Her ex found some young chick, had a baby, and now he’s living the dream. She regrets it every single day. Haven’t you learned anything from her?"
Yvette shot back, "I don’t need to learn from anyone else; this is my life."
"No matter what you say, I’m not letting you divorce Albert." Lassie crossed her arms, looking all stern and nasty. "No way, no how!"
Yvette’s room door was slammed shut. Lassie changed her clothes and got ready to cook.
Zora, who’d seen the whole showdown, finally came out of the bathroom.
Lassie shot her a cold look. "Get over here and help."
"Okay." Zora walked into the kitchen and started washing veggies. "Is Yvette mad?"
"Mad? She doesn’t even know what mad is." Lassie sneered, "I’m doing this for her own good, and she thinks I’m the bad guy, saying I’m embarrassing her."
Once she got started, Lassie couldn’t stop, ranting on, "If she leaves Albert, her life’s over. I’m saving her, and she’s pissed!"
Zora had been hearing this nonstop at home and was getting a headache. She sighed and said, "Yvette’s really upset today. Maybe you should back off a bit."
Before Zora could finish, Lassie lost it. She threw the veggies into the basket, spun around, and glared at Zora.
"You, who does nothing for this family, are telling me to back off? If Yvette divorces, do you think you and Wayne will be okay? With his bad health and your crappy job, if they split and Yvette’s broke, how will you and your son survive?"
Zora knew she’d stepped in it, so she shut up.
The more Lassie thought about it, the angrier she got. She shoved the veggie basket, wiped her hands on her apron, and stormed out of the kitchen.
Lassie grabbed her phone and called Albert.
He picked up quick, and Lassie said with a smile, "Albert, Yvette wants you over for dinner. When do you get off work?"
When Lassie called, Albert was driving with Victor and Steve in the car. Both of them shot curious looks at Albert in the driver's seat.
Albert's foot hesitated, the car jerked to a stop, but he quickly got it back under control.
Albert's Adam's apple bobbed a bit. "I gotta drop my colleagues off first. I'll be done after that."
He paused, then asked, "Yvette invited me?"
"Yeah." Lassie's tone was all sweet and sugary. "Yvette's just a bit shy and too embarrassed to ask you herself."
Albert frowned, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "This your idea, isn't it?"
Lassie's smile vanished, her voice turning sour. "So, you don't wanna come?"
Albert was quiet for a moment. "I'll call you after work."
"Alright." Lassie hung up.
The car was dead silent after the call ended, no one wanting to break the ice.
Victor held back as long as he could but finally blurted out, "Albert, so you going or not? Yvette invited you, right?"
"Definitely not her," Steve chimed in, "Sounds like his mother-in-law's trying to play peacemaker. What do you think, Albert?"
Victor shot Steve a glare. "You just don't get women. When they wanna fix things but don't wanna admit they messed up, they use all kinds of roundabout ways to give you a chance to make up. If you don't take it, it's like saying you don't care about fixing things. Makes it even harder to save the marriage."
"Really?" Steve looked puzzled, "But hasn't Dr. Orlando always been firm? Did I get it wrong?"
"That's why you're still single." Victor patted his chest. "Albert, trust me, there's no woman I can't win over. Listening to a long-term single guy like him won't get you anywhere."
"Really?" Steve seemed swayed by Victor's confidence and scratched his head, looking even more uncertain. He thought for a moment and then advised, "Albert, you should go. Make up with Dr. Orlando soon, and focus on your work."
After they finished, Albert said coldly, "Are you done?"
"Yeah."
"Then shut up," Albert snapped, "You're so damn noisy."
Before dinner, Yvette went downstairs to grab a package. Struggling with the heavy books, she felt oddly at ease.
Opening the front door, the rich aroma of food hit her, signaling dinner was ready.
Yvette looked down to change her shoes but noticed a pair of unfamiliar men's shoes at the door.
High-end leather, with clear embossed patterns, a fine sheen, and excellent texture—definitely pricey.
And the only guy who could afford such shoes and show up at her place was Albert.
Yvette frowned and looked up.
Albert was lounging on the couch with his legs crossed. His black shirt sleeves were rolled up, showing off a strong forearm, the muscle of a mature man.
Yvette met his gaze. Albert's deep eyes were cold, his stare intense, but his emotions were unreadable.
Yvette's throat tightened. "What are you doing here?"
