The Heart Left Behind

Chapter 29 Peyton sounded excited .

Your charity project is attracting a lot of attention .

Several large companies have expressed interest in participating .

Would you like to meet with them ? I thought for a moment .

Sure , arrange a time .

But lets keep it low profile .

I dont want this turning into a spectacle .

Peyton agreed , and after chatting for a bit longer , he ended the call .

my eyes .

Leaning back in my chair , I closed my The project was progressing more smoothly than I had anticipated , but I knew that the smoother things seemed , the more vigilant I needed to be .

onas walked out That afternoon , I went to pick up Jonas from school .

Both Xavier and Jonas together , but when Xavier saw me , he scowled and said nothing .

Yvonnes voice was cold as she called out , Xavier, get in the car .

Without a glance back , Xavier quickly walked to Yvonnes car , not even bothering to say goodbye .

I wasnt surprised , and I just calmly watched him leave .

Kneeling down to Jonas level , I asked , How was school today ? Jonas smiled .

It was great , Daddy .

The teacher said Ive improved a lot in my drawings .

I nodded , pride evident on my face .

Thats excellent .

How about we go buy some new art supplies this weekend ? Jonas eyes lit up .

Really ? That would be amazing ! As we talked , Yvonne approached .

Cole , when you drop off Xaviers toys this weekend , let Jonas come over too .

I hesitated , feeling surprised by her suggestion .

Looking down at Jonas , I noticed the nervous expression on his face .

I asked gently , Jonas , do you want to go ? After a brief hesitation , Jonas shook his head .

Daddy , I want to stay home and draw with you .

Relieved , I turned to Yvonne .

You heard him .

Ill bring Xaviers things , but Jonas wont be coming .

Yvonne frowned .

Youre really going to keep them apart ? Dont you think they should spend more time together ? I was about to respond when a sharp pain shot through my head .

Instinctively , I pressed my Chapter 7 hand to my forehead as my vision blurred .

Cole ? Yvonnes voice sounded distant .

Whats wrong ? I tried to say it was nothing , but all that came out was a pained groan .

The next moment , I felt myself losing balance and falling backward .

When I opened my eyes again , I found myself lying in a hospital bed .

Jonas was holding my hand , and his eyes were red from crying .

Daddy ! he exclaimed when he saw me awake .

Youre finally awake ! I tried to sit up , but a doctor nearby stopped me .

Mr.

Joplin , please dont move .

You need rest .

Looking around , I noticed others in the room my parents , my older brother , Hayden , and even Yvonne .

What happened ? I asked , my voice sounding somewhat hoarse .

Hayden stepped forward .

Cole , you collapsed suddenly .

The doctor said it was a severe brain hemorrhage .

Thankfully , you were brought to the hospital in time .

Feeling somewhat stunned , I struggled to process his words .

A brain hemorrhage ? I had always thought I was healthy .

How could this happen ? The doctor explained my condition in detail , attributing it to prolonged stress and overwork combined with the pressure of recent events .

The doctor said sternly , Mr.

Joplin , you need to rest properly for an extended period .

Otherwise , the consequences could be severe .

I glanced at Jonas , whose worried expression tugged at my heart .

I reassured him while forcing a smile , Dont worry , Ill be fine .

Yvonne suddenly said , Cole , while youre stuck here , you cant handle everything .

Ill arrange for someone to take care of Jonas .

Hearing this , I let out a cold laugh .

No need to trouble yourself .

Ill handle that myself shortly .

Yvonne frowned .

Fine .

I see Im wasting my breath .

Over the following days , I remained in the hospital for treatment .

Jonas visited me every day after school , sometimes bringing his drawings to show me .

To my surprise , Xavier came by too .

But after sitting by my bedside for a short while , hed start whining about wanting to play games and then insist on going home .

Just then , Jared walked in .

Xavier , its time to leave , he said gently before turning to me .

Mr.

Joplin , I wish you a speedy recovery .

I nodded coldly and simply watched as they left .

While I was in the hospital , Hayden took charge of managing the companys affairs .

Even so , I occasionally received important emails and documents to review .

One day , while I was going through some paperwork , Yvonne suddenly came to visit .

0 Chapter10 Chapter 30