He''d never noticed before, but she certainly knew how to hold a grudge.
Still, that Shawn Schultz really was a piece of work. Xander had asked him to find a therapist, but-go figure-the genius brought over an actual psychiatric patient instead. Because of that disaster, Yvonne had t out refused to set foot in a
hospital for ages.
Now, hearing that she wouldn''t have to deal with the psych department, she let out a relieved, melodramatic "Ohhh.”
No one likes being treated as if they''re crazy, though Yvonne had to admit, her nerves had been worn thin these past few weeks. Just thinking about it made her want to wring Susanna''s neck. That ungrateful wretch hadn''t even bothered to send a single message to assure her she was safe with Hull.
Yvonne had nearly lost her mind, convinced ck Gate had kidnapped her, storming about and demanding them to hand Susanna over.
And Hull-she''d trusted his character, only for him to turn around and set her up as well! The whole memory left her simmering.
Inside the car, Xander caught sight of Yvonne''s sulking pout and reached over to gently pinch her cheek, his tone affectionate. "What''s got you huffing and puffing over there?"
Still stuck on the psychiatric patient debacle, huh? If so, he''d have to make sure to give Shawn a stern talking-to after this doctor''s visit.
"I''m just thinking how everyone''s out to get me!" Yvonne huffed.
Xander fell silent for a beat. The way she said it, she sounded so aggrieved. Of course, he knew she meant Skye. "Didn''t you get her back, though? You two have been pranking each other since nursery school. Honestly, I''m amazed you both aren''t sworn enemies by now."
Yvonne only grumbled, "Hull and Susie both tricked me too."
Yvonne hadn''t used to take these things to heart, buttely, the thoughts kept swirling in her mind. The more she dwelled on it, the more frustrated she became.
Xander smoothed a hand over her soft hair. "Alright, drop it. I promise, I won''t pull any tricks on you."
At that, Yvonne just rolled her eyes. "Yeah? What about Regina Schultz? Look what your cousin did to my Star! Don''t even try to say you''re innocent."
Thinking about Regina always left Yvonne with mixed feelings. She honestly couldn''t help but feel sorry for the girl. Ever since that incident years@go, the entire Schultz family practically pretended she didn''t exist. And to make things worse, Ronald had kept the family under his watchful eye. Even if Mona Haig had a hint of motherly love for Regina, she wouldn''t dare spare her a
visit-not even in secret.
Still, it wasn''t like Mona seemed all that torn up about it. Biological mother or not,
she hadn''t bothered to see Regina once.
"Hey, Regina''s not my sister, so that one isn''t on me," Xander defended himself And besides, it''s not my
fault Ste didn''t read the message I
sent her if she misses her ow cues, who''s to me?"
Calling Ste scatterbrained earned him a death re from Yvonne.
Under that fierce stare, Xander quickly raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright -it really wasn''t me this time."
"You''d better not cross me again, got it?"
"I promise, I won''t," he said with a lopsided grin.
“And when we''re at the hospital, no matter what happens, you have to respect my decision." Yvonne''s resistance to seeing a doctor was clearly more entrenched than ever, especially when it came to hospitals.
Xander nodded. “Okay, I''ll one hundred percent respect your wishes."
Yvonne let out a sharp, dismissive huff, and turned to gaze moodily out the window.
Xander just shook his head, resigned. One thing was certain-when they got back, Shawn was in for a serious scolding. The guy couldn''t do anything right.
They reached the hospital before too long. One of Xander''s assistants went to check her in, and when Yvonne realized the appointment was for gastroenterology, she finally allowed herself to rx. Last time, Xander coaxing her to a doctor''s visit had left her with a lingering sense of betrayal. She''d been half-afraid he''d drag her off to the psych ward again.