The Man in the Past

Yvette flinched at Harold's harsh tone, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.

I clenched my fists tightly. "I bought those things for Yvette. If you have a problem, come at me!"

Jacob stirred at the sound, his grogginess still evident. He lifted his head and wrapped his arms around Harold's neck. "Daddy, are we there yet?"

Harold glanced at me, panic flashing in his eyes.

I sneered. "Oh, I see. So you won't let your own daughter call you 'Daddy' because you've already gone and picked up a new son outside?"

Harold pressed his lips together and said nothing.

At that moment, Susan interrupted, her tone full of grievance. "Harold was just being kind, helping us out. Please don't be angry, Catherine. If anyone's to blame, it's me. Jacob and I ruined your family's peace. We'll leave."

Then, she turned to Jacob. "Get down from Harold and leave with me."

But Jacob burst into tears. "No! I don't want to go! I like Mr. Jefferson! I want to stay with him!"

Susan wiped at her tears. "You silly child, why are you being so disobedient? It's exactly because Harold is good to us that we can't make things harder for him."

Then, she looked at Harold with a gaze full of sorrow and tenderness. "Harold, thank you for everything you've done for us during this time. Jacob and I are truly grateful. From now on, if fate allows, we'll meet again someday…"

With that, she took Jacob's hand and started walking out the door.

Harold turned to me, disappointed. "Catherine Smith, you've changed."

Before I could respond, he continued, "Let's take some time apart and cool off for a bit."

I nodded and simply replied, "Alright."

Afterward, I picked up a document from the table. "This is the insurance policy I bought for Yvette. Sign it before you go."

In a hurry to catch up with them, Harold didn't bother to look closely. He quickly scribbled his signature on the document.

I watched it all unfold with complete calm. It wasn't until the front door closed behind him that my legs finally gave out. I sank to the floor, feeling completely drained.

Yvette wrapped her arms around me. "Mommy, are we not going to have Daddy anymore?"