After Shattered

Chapter 5 - Broken Hearts Fall Apart

"Yvonne. Yvonne!"

Finally she heard Michael calling her name, back in the present and she realized that tears were falling down her face again.

When Michael saw her staring blankly at the computer, crying silently, he called the reception and asked all calls be directed to Terrence or an office junior. He then locked the door and went to comfort his friend.

Although the flood of tears was brief, they spoke until five o'clock. Mike had done his best to keep her mind off Kendo until he called her. Now he was waiting downstairs.

Eve gave Michael a long warm hug, once again thanking him for his support before unlocking the office door and going down to ground floor.

He had come in a stretch Mercedes-Benz. The chauffeur opened the door with a bow and she nodded in response. She stepped into the car and found Kendo, but he wasn't alone. He sat facing two strange men.

As the door closed on the outside world, her stomach turned cold and she knew before he even said hello that it was time to say goodbye. Somewhere in her heart, Yvonne felt an overwhelming sorrow, but she didn't cry. She wouldn't do that in front of these people she didn't know.

Kendo introduced the men as Miss Konishiki's brothers. The younger of the two looked at Yvonne with something more than interest. She turned to face Kendo questioningly.

"I'm taking you home," he said softly.

She nodded.

On the way to the Greenwood house, he asked her urbanely about work and Michael's wellbeing. She answered calmly. The two Konishiki men never spoke and were never spoken to. They just watched the couple silently. It made Yvonne slightly uncomfortable but it occurred to her that these might be her last moments with Kendo. She wasn't about to let them pass in silence.

The car stopped in her driveway and the two of them exited the car. The Konishiki duo followed unnoticed. Yvonne unlocked the door and Kendo entered, only to stop as Yvonne let out a startled cry.

He turned swiftly to see the two men following again.

"You wait outside," Kendo said fiercely.

"But-" one of them started.

His next words were in harsh Japanese but Yvonne understood him.

He told them since they were about to imprison him for the rest of his God-given life, the least they could was give him privacy in his last few minutes of freedom.

With that he slammed the door shut on their surprised faces.

They went to the living room, not trusting themselves anywhere more intimate.

"The tests came back last night. Yvonne, I'm sorry," he took a deep breath. "I am the father."

"Oh, I knew it," she said sadly. "The minute I saw your face, I knew."

"I'm sorry," he said again, helpless. He reached out and pushed strands of hair away from her face.

"I know. Me too." Pause. "I think you should go."

"What?" Not only was Kendo shocked, he was hurt.

"My heart is breaking and I can't bear it, Kendo. The quicker you go, the faster I'll break down and the sooner I'll start building my life without you."

If he hadn't heard himself, Kendo would not have believed that Yvonne had spoken so tonelessly. He looked at her with an expression of such hurt that she looked away.

Then he understood. All too clearly.

Ken realised in that moment that Yvonne thought a swift, curt farewell would help her deal with the situation they found themselves in. He knew, though, that under the façade she had quickly erected, she was falling apart just as quickly as he was.