Ava's POV:
Yan stared at me, and I quickly looked away. "Uhm, I called and knocked, but you didn't answer." I definitely didn't want him thinking of me as some pervert.
"No need to explain yourself, baby, after all... This bedroom and me belong to you," he teased, and I scoffed.
"Can you get dressed? I want to talk."
"Or you could lay down on the bed..."
"Geez," I stopped him before he continued. What was I even trying to do? They were my kids, and I could solve their problems without involving Yan.
"After eating, we will leave at once," I said and hurried out of his bedroom.
Returned downstairs as the old Earlton's gaze was on me. "You really just went to talk," he chuckled.
"I don't have any relationship with your son, sir," I said for the eleventh time and hoped he understood me, but he simply smiled.
"I know my son fucks up in a lot of domains, but I know he is gutsy at wooing a woman. So don't speak too early."
Then he stood up and walked to the kids. "Grandpa needs to leave now."
"Ava, is it okay if I stay with the kids during the weekend?" He asked, and I raised a brow.
I had never sent my kids out for a weekend, and I also felt relieved that he was asking for permission rather than imposing his decision.
"You should ask me that," Yan answered as he walked downstairs; his dad sneered.
"Why should I?"
"Because they are my kids."
"Mother, we want to go," Lily chimed in, and I could see they all looked excited.
"They are such a headache, and you are not strong enough , so..." I was trying to form the best excuse when he stopped me.
"I have workers, and they will never be a headache for me."
Now I had nothing to say, "Mother, please." They kept singing when Yan chimed in.
"She doesn't want to be away from her kids, so can you..."
"It's just for the weekend." The old man was getting impatient, and I knew this was just going to lead to another argument between them. I wish I knew why they behaved like cats and dogs.
"Fine, the kids could go. Except for Ryan, of course," I answered, and I could see the shocked look on their faces.
"Why…"
"Let's eat and leave; the kids have school tomorrow." Yan cut the old man off; he signaled for the kids to go to the dining, which they did, and the old man left as well.
"Is the kid giving you trouble?" He asked, but I ignored him and walked to the dining room.
Helped dish out the meal for the kids who started eating except for Ryan, who had a rebellious look.
I had to restrain myself from spoiling him with sweet talks, so I ignored him and began eating.
He stood up about to leave the table. "Sit," Yan said more of an order, and he quickly sat back.
"Pick up the spoon and start eating," Yan added. He hesitantly picked up the spoon and began to eat.
If I were the one who had told him, then he wouldn't have listened to me. Was it that he was scared of Yan?
After the meal, Yan decided to drive us back home. We arrived, and Cynthia walked to us. "I had no choice but to send the kids with the old man; he was so persistent," Cynthia explained at once.
She must have thought I was angry with her. "It's fine," I said before we walked in. I didn't turn back to look at Yan or even tell him goodnight.
I didn't want him to have the impression that I was considering his feelings.
When we got in, the kids went to their bedrooms as I sat on the couch with a worried look.
"What's wrong?" Cynthia asked.
"Turns out I was wrong." I finally realized that I had always said stupid things in the past, like, A child doesn't need both parents; I could still play the role of the mom and the dad.
My kids will be perfect without a dad; I will be both for them that they wouldn't even miss their dad.
I explained everything to Cynthia, including what Ryan has been up to in school and how he listens to Yan easily.
"Ava?" Cynthia called before she shifted closer to me.
"You love him right?" she asked, and I snorted.
"In…"
"Stop," she stopped me before I could say anything.
"Think about it; when you see him, do you feel disgust or peace? When he tells you, I have got everything under control, do you become assured? Or when he teases you, do you feel your toes curl?" she asked, and I reminisced on the short moments I spent with Yan.
"But he hurt me," I said, and Cynthia nodded.
"I also don't like him because he hurt you; I also don't want you getting back with him. But do yourself a favor; consider him."
I stood up angrily. "What are you saying? And I don't love him, okay?"
She nodded. "Of course."
"I don't love him; that man doesn't love me... It's all just his plan to hurt me again. So no, I won't ever consider him," I lashed out before I hurried upstairs.
Yan, why did he have to show up? But I had to be grateful to him as he stopped my wedding with Coyle. I can't believe he was cheating on me.
Were all men these ways? I don't think I will ever trust the words of a man again.