Thinking of this, my heart ached terribly. I wondered if I was a terrible mother, or if I should have another child.

Clyde placed a file on a café table, and I came over to take it. Inside were Tracy’s prenatal checkup reports, printed from photos, along with a picture of her sitting in the doctor’s office, her expression worried. I remembered a colleague had accompanied her to the hospital, but the photo showed only her. I guessed they, too, felt this was something to hide from everyone.

I spent the whole afternoon working. As dusk settled, Jared called, saying Yvonne was on summer break and wanted us to have dinner together. I said I was busy with work, and he didn’t insist.

At around 9 p.m., I saw Tracy post on Instagram: "The night is beautiful, and so is my mood." She shared several night sky photos, the last one showing a blurry silhouette, but I noticed the silver bracelet Yvonne usually wore.

I knew Tracy was trying to provoke me. Fortunately, I no longer cared. What I missed wasn’t just dinner tonight, but a miserable life. I should be glad.

Jared came home late, holding Yvonne in his arms. I didn’t bother with them and went to sleep. The next morning, Yvonne told me they had gone to the movies last night in one of those fancy theaters where one could lie back and watch.

“Mom, it was so comfy. You should come with us next time,” Yvonne said, genuinely wanting to share the nice place.

I imagined Jared and Tracy lying back in those plush seats watching the movie with Yvonne, but when she wasn’t paying attention, maybe they were flirting.

“Sure, I’ll go when I have time.” I no longer saw Yvonne as my daughter, just a distant little girl. I would respond to whatever she said.

“Mom, it’s summer vacation. Let’s make a travel plan!” Yvonne ran happily to grab her notebook and pen. “Our first stop will be…”

“I don’t have time to travel with you,” I cut her off.

Yvonne stood frozen, with tears in her eyes. Suddenly, she tore her notebook in two and threw it on the floor, then turned and went upstairs.

Jared came downstairs and saw Yvonne’s tear-streaked face. He asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Mom said she won’t go on a trip with me,” Yvonne replied, her voice breaking with sadness.

Jared frowned and held Yvonne in his arms, coming over to me. “The vacation is long. It’s normal for her to want to go out. Why do you have to be so harsh?”

I said flatly, “I’m just getting started at work, and I really don’t have the time. Get someone else to take her, or you can do it yourself.”

Jared looked down at Yvonne, who was sobbing, and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Yvonne, I’ll go with you. How about we go to Disneyland in a few days?”

Yvonne clung to Jared’s neck and whispered, “Mom has been ignoring me lately. I told her I was sorry, but she wouldn’t forgive me.”

Jared looked at me with mixed feelings. “Are you really not going with her?”

“No, I’m busy,” I answered. I didn’t want to lie.

Yvonne began to sob again, even more heartbroken.

Jared was so upset that he skipped breakfast and left with Yvonne. I guessed he would take her there today. He always spoiled her. He might not love me, but he loved Yvonne, who looked just like him.

I arrived at the office at 5:30, and when I was having lunch in the cafeteria, I noticed people shooting me side glances. I heard them say Tracy hadn’t come to work today and that she probably went to Shaville. Then they said Jared wasn’t around, and that he hadn’t had business meetings lately.

Their meaning was clear. There were no major business issues, yet both Tracy and Jared were missing. As his wife, I knew exactly what that meant.