I finally saw myself through Jared’s eyes: innocence equaled stupidity, and simplicity equaled brainlessness. That was the box he had always put me in ever since I married him.

Jared was just so full of himself and totally self-obsessed.

Sally was so mad that she was about to explode, her face practically turning blue. She knew I was playing the emotional card.

Jared was clueless about women. He’d rather believe I hated him because I loved him too much, not because I’d stopped caring.

So now he was just waiting for me to get over my resentment and run back into his arms, choosing to love him all over again.

I almost laughed. Honestly, men were arrogant to the core.

Sally realized she couldn’t change Jared’s mind and just wanted to cut ties as quickly as possible. She said, “Just hurry up and get the divorce over with. She doesn’t show me any respect anymore–it’s like we’re not even family to her.”

Jared’s brows furrowed with emotion as he picked up his coffee and took a sip. He then said, “Mom, this is between me and her. I know how to handle it.”

My heart tightened at his words. I was afraid he’d make me keep waiting, so I spoke up to provoke Sally. I said, “Sally, don’t worry. I won’t drag this out much longer.”

Sally was so furious she nearly passed out. She grabbed her bag and snapped, “Yvonne, come with me.”

But Yvonne snuggled into Jared’s arms, shaking her head. She said, “Grandma, I haven’t had dinner with Mom and Dad in ages. Can I stay for dinner?”

Sally’s temper flared. She snapped, “Eat? Why bother? Your mom doesn’t even want you anymore. Come home with me–you’re a Holcomb.”

“That’s enough, Mom. Don’t say things like that in front of Yvonne,” Jared’s face darkened as he warned her sternly.

Sally was momentarily speechless. She’d meant those words for me.

Now that Jared was running the company and his word was law in the Holcomb family, Sally might hate me, but she wouldn’t dare risk making her son any angrier.

She shot me a venomous glare, gritted her teeth, and stormed out the door.

Jared looked like he was about to snap, but he was always tough at his core. He just closed his eyes, forced down his emotions, and then said to Yvonne, “Come on, let’s go grab something to drink.”

“Okay, Dad,” Yvonne replied, her usual spark suddenly gone. She wasn’t bouncing around or shouting like she used to. She suddenly tugged at my arm and asked, “Mom, do you want to come with us?”

“No, I’m not going,” I said coldly.

Yvonne let go of my arm, her head drooping, looking so pitiful.

Jared said softly, “Let Mom wait here. We’ll go get her some milk.”

Yvonne nodded, and she and Jared headed out together.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

By the time they came back, dinner was already served. Jared was taking care of Yvonne at the table, and we just sat there in awkward silence.

Yvonne kept looking at me, like she wanted to say something but kept holding back. She probably wanted to share her stories from her trip to Aurelia, but honestly, I just didn’t care anymore.

I got a text from Ryan–he was asking to borrow 30 thousand.

Just picturing his delicate, handsome face made me sigh. His elders were hopelessly unreliable–a debt this size could easily push a boy that beautiful to extremes.

I picked up my phone and told Ryan to send me his bank account number. I’d transfer the money to him first thing in the morning.

Ryan sent over his account number and said he’d give me an IOU tomorrow.

While I was texting back, Jared kept glancing over at me until his gaze finally locked onto my phone lying on the table.

After dinner, Jared headed back to the villa with Yvonne. Before leaving, he asked if I wanted to come too, but I shook my head. He didn’t insist.

Yvonne just stood there, teary-eyed and looking lost, staring at me.

I turned away, refusing to meet her gaze–I didn’t want to see how much she didn’t want to leave me.