Chapter 53 Is It Not Okay?

Yvonne was back in Sunshine Community, but the nurse's words kept appearing in her mind.

She didn't sleep all night.

Even without a paternity test, she had a strong suspicion that George was not her biological father.

She had many questions in her mind. Who was her biological father, and where was he?

George was still in the ICU now, and whether it was for the paternity test or to find information about her biological parents, she would have to wait for a week.

In the morning, while getting ready, she noticed that she had developed eye bags.

She picked up her handbag and decided to go to the hospital to find out the truth.

Her phone rang, and it was Joseph calling.

She didn't answer.

Now that Elijah had ended things completely, she felt it was better to keep a certain distance from Joseph.

Soon, Joseph sent a voice message on WhatsApp: "Auntie, I'm planning to give you a cute gift on the day we go to Forest Manor."

Only then did Yvonne remember that she had promised Joseph to go to Forest Manor and soak in the hot springs on Saturday.

"I have to go to school. Auntie, drive safely to work. Bye!" Joseph's voice carried a maturity beyond his age.

Should she go or not?

If she doesn't go, how should she explain it to Joseph?

She subconsciously checked WhatsApp and suddenly realized that Elijah was no longer among her friends.

She checked again, and it was true.

He had indeed blocked her.

This wasn't the first time Elijah had broken things off with her, but it was the most heartless this time.

Before, she would still gather the courage to approach him, but now she had lost that courage.

They were people from two different worlds. Even if they intersected, it was only for a moment, with no future.

Cutting ties now is good for both of them, but she doesn't know why her heart hurts.

Just bed partners, why take it so seriously?

She gathered her jumbled thoughts and decided to respond to Joseph later in the evening.

Thanks to Michael's help, Yvonne returned to the design department's drawing team.

During the lunch break, she drove to the Winston family.

Mrs. Winston was feeding the canary in the cage in the yard and casually said, "You could have just said it over the phone. There’s no need to come here again."

Yvonne took out a bank card from her handbag and placed it on a small table nearby. "Auntie, I've put all the gift money from everyone on this card. The password is eight, six times."

"Take it!" Mrs. Winston no longer had her previous enthusiasm and continued with her task. "Because of that bastard Ryan, the Winston family has become the laughingstock of the city. Mr. Winston even slapped him twice last night. He almost ended up in the hospital because of anger."

"I'm sorry, auntie." Yvonne felt guilty. "It was my greed that made me cooperate with Ryan to deceive you."

Fortunately, she took the initiative to confess and put an end to the farce with Ryan. Otherwise, if it dragged on, who knows how many disgraceful things would have unfolded.

Mrs. Winston played with the bird and didn't even glance at Yvonne.

Yvonne bowed deeply to her and turned to leave.

As the sound of her fading high heels echoed, Mrs. Winston felt a tumult of emotions.

She stared at Yvonne's slender figure, sighing deeply.

In the afternoon, when it was almost time to get off work, Joseph called twice, but Yvonne didn't answer.

It was only when her aunt's call flashed on the phone screen that Yvonne pressed the answer button.

Her aunt's warm voice came through. "Yvonne, it's my birthday today. After work, come over to my place for a meal. Joseph is missing you."

Yvonne readily agreed.

"Make sure you come. The kitchen has prepared many dishes," Auntie reminded her.

Despite Elijah's request for her to stay away from his activities, auntie's warm invitation was hard to refuse. She had to go!

Since she was going to have dinner at Bird Hills, she thought she should inform Elijah. She found Elijah's phone number and dialed it, only to be informed that the number was invalid.

Not only had he deleted her from WhatsApp, but he had also blocked her number!

After work, Yvonne went to a flower shop and bought a bouquet of flowers. She also bought a silk scarf from a branded store.

As soon as she drove into Bird Hills, Yvonne saw the nanny holding Joseph's hand at the entrance.

Joseph was wearing the black down jacket she bought for him. When he saw her getting out of the car, he immediately ran over.

"Auntie, I've been waiting for you for half an hour!"

Yvonne bent down to touch his red, frozen cheeks and said with concern, "You silly boy, why didn't you wait for me at home? If I let you freeze, it'll be my fault!"

"I wore the jacket you gave me. I'm not cold at all!" Joseph deliberately patted his jacket and looked proud.

Yvonne corrected him, "This is your dad's birthday gift to you. At that time, he happened to be abroad, so I brought it for him."

"Don't say nice things about Old Harper anymore. He doesn't have that kind of intention!" Joseph dismissed with a sneer. "I already guessed it was you who bought it, I just didn't expose you."

Yvonne felt embarrassed and quickly changed the topic. "Let me guess, what delicious dishes did you make tonight?"

"Old Harper brought the chef from Spring Diner. Whatever we want to eat, we can order freely."

"That Old Harper is quite nice to Auntie," Yvonne joked.

"Of course. Ever since Grandma passed away, the only ones who spoiled me and Old Harper in this world are Grandma Auntie and..."

As they spoke, they entered the living room.

Auntie was the first to greet them. Yvonne presented her gift, and Auntie held her hand while expressing gratitude.

Yvonne saw Elijah sitting in the living room talking on the phone. She hesitated a few times but resisted the urge to greet him.

It was Auntie who invited her for dinner, she didn't need to face Elijah and be pushed away!

"Elijah, Yvonne is here," Auntie called out toward the living room, feeling that Elijah was being too cold.

"Got it," Elijah replied indifferently and continued his phone call.

"The law firm is already busy enough, and now all the matters of the Harper Group are also weighing on Elijah's shoulders. But he is still here to celebrate my birthday," Auntie shook her head with concern.

With Auntie and Joseph accompanying her, Yvonne sat face to face with Elijah in the dining room.

Yvonne didn't feel embarrassed. She even boldly called out, "Mr. Harper," without Elijah batting an eye. Sitting across from Elijah in silence was truly tormenting.

The nanny brought out the cake, adorned with colorful candles, marking Auntie's fiftieth birthday.

Auntie stood up and took the initiative to start cutting the cake.

Elijah wasn't idle either. He placed a birthday crown on Auntie's head and gave her a big hug. "Auntie, happy birthday," he said. Hearing this, Joseph also got up from his chair and hugged his aunt, offering his birthday wishes.

After the cake was cut, the maids started serving the dishes. In just two short minutes, the vast marble dining table was filled with a variety of renowned dishes from Spring Diner.

Yvonne tried to bring up a few topics several times but was ignored by Elijah. Seeing this, Joseph's aunt discreetly kicked Elijah's leg thrice.

After enduring this dinner, Yvonne was about to leave when Joseph stopped her. "Auntie, you must come early this Saturday so that we can go to Forest Manor and enjoy the hot springs."

"I'm sorry, Joseph. I have to work overtime this Saturday, I can't go." Yvonne caressed his head. "Next time, when I'm not busy, I'll accompany you."

Joseph's smile immediately vanished, and tears welled up in his eyes as he sadly stared at Yvonne. At that moment, Elijah interjected, "Let's not go to the hot springs. I'll take you to the amusement park instead."

"I don't want to go to the amusement park! I want auntie to accompany me to the hot springs!" Joseph's voice, though sweet, carried determination.

"Shut up!" Elijah snapped sternly.

Joseph pouted and, in less than three seconds, burst into tears.

"Don't cry, don't cry!" Yvonne bent down to embrace him. "I also love going to the hot springs, but I'm truly busy lately and can't find the time. If you keep crying like this, I'll feel even more guilty."

Joseph cried even harder, his frail shoulders shaking incessantly.

It hurt Yvonne deeply to see Joseph cry so badly for the first time, and she looked up at Elijah.

"Why do you insist on taking him to the amusement park when the child wants to go to the hot springs?"

"No need for your input." Elijah pressed his lips tightly, his expression resolute.

Only by being overbearing and dominating like this could he regain the "dignity" he had lost in front of Yvonne.

"If it weren't for Joseph, do you think I would willingly speak up and endure your sarcastic remarks here?" Yvonne stood up in anger. "You really have authority, arguing with a six-year-old. Impressive!"

Elijah was about to retort but chose silence upon seeing Yvonne descending from the second floor.

"No more crying! I don't have to work overtime tomorrow, so how about going to watch a movie?" Yvonne comforted Joseph.

Joseph bit his lip and shook his head, his big teardrops falling into Yvonne's hands.

Yvonne's heart instantly softened.

When she was young, she also begged George to take her to see a puppet show, but it was ultimately abandoned due to Mary's obstruction. That feeling of despair and disappointment is still fresh in her memory.

"So you only want to go to the hot spring, right? Fine, I'll accompany you!" She wiped Joseph's tears as she spoke.

Joseph tightly grasped Yvonne's hand. "Auntie, you must keep your promise!"

"Of course, I'll keep my promise!" Yvonne reached out and hooked her pinky finger with Joseph’s. "Pinky swear..."

Joseph finally smiled.

After Yvonne left, Joseph's aunt rushed to Elijah and said, "She came to our house as a guest and even brought gifts for me. How can you have such a cold expression? You’ve seen it too, Joseph really likes her. Can’t you put aside your personal grievances for the sake of the child?

“I heard about her and the Winston family. Now that both sides have resolved their issues, that matter can be considered closed. She's single, and you're single too. Can't you get along with each other? Your grandmother even held my hand and told me to make sure you get married before the new year..."

Elijah's brows furrowed as he listened.

In fact, if he really didn't want to see her, she wouldn't have been able to enter Bird Hills today.

Back in Rhode Hills, Elijah sat on the sofa in the living room, without turning on the lights.

Philippe called him, inviting him to the Zero Club.

He used to enjoy being alone, but now he felt inexplicably annoyed, so he agreed without thinking.

Half an hour later, Elijah walked into the private room at the Zero Club.

As soon as he entered, he saw Yvonne sitting between Philippe and Mason, holding a cigarette and smiling gracefully.