Chapter 3

Jared seemed uncomfortable with my outfit. He probably thought my clothes were totally inappropriate–no decent woman would wear something so revealing and sexy.

“Honey, Yvonne just said she wants Tracy to be her mom. Who’s this Tracy?” I asked, feigning curiosity as I stepped up to him.

Jared glanced down at Yvonne, his face tight. “She’s just rambling,” he told me. “Don’t take it seriously. Let’s go downstairs and eat.”

This was unexpected. Jared was actually trying to cover things up.

I remembered how I discovered Tracy in my previous life–totally by chance when I ran into him at a private room, drinking and chatting with his friends.

I’d been excited, ready to pop in and say hi. But right outside the door, I overheard a man asking Jared when he planned to divorce me and give Tracy an official status.

Jared had said he wasn’t considering divorce because of Yvonne.

The guy pressed, “So you’re just gonna string Tracy along? C’mon, you’ve lost all love in your marriage anyway. Divorce seems like a good option.”

Jared took a drag, crushed his cigarette out, and said, “Victoria’s not my dream wife, but she’s the kid’s mom. As long as she stays in line and learns to live with Tracy, I won’t leave her.”

Back then, I just froze outside that door.

Never in a million years would I have guessed my husband could brush me off that easily–just the kid’s mom, not his wife. He was only keeping me around out of pity because I’d given him a child, not because he saw me as his wife.

I had stood there, numb, listening to him go on, “She’s good-looking, which makes me look good when we’re out. Plus, she takes care of the house without creating drama, exactly the kind of wife my parents want me to have.”

Snapping back to reality, I trailed behind Jared and Yvonne as they headed downstairs.

Mom was getting dinner ready for them, ladling out soup she’d been simmering for hours.

Jared was as sweet to Mom as he’d always been–no complaints there.

“Grandma,” Yvonne piped up, pouting, “how’d you have a daughter this mean? Can you take her back?”

I’d just reached the top of the stairs. Without waiting for Mom to respond, I shot back coldly, “If people could return kids, you’d be first. Bet on it?”

My words must’ve sounded pretty scary. Yvonne flinched and scrambled to huddle closer to Jared.

Jared shot me a disapproving look. “Victoria, what’s your deal today? Why do you keep picking on Yvonne? She’s your daughter–the one you carried for ten months. Can’t you see how much you’re hurting her?”

I sat down, grabbed the soup bowl, and took a bite. “She started it. And for your info, I’m my mom’s perfect girl. But your daughter told my mom she wishes I had never been born. I can’t get mad?”

Mom jumped in, smiling to smooth things over. “Jared, Victoria’s just fired up. Don’t take it hard. Yvonne, here–cola chicken wings. Your favorite.”

Yvonne pushed her plate away. “No.”

I snagged it right up. “I’ll take ‘em, Mom. Love these.”

Mom sensed the sudden absence of my maternal warmth and just shook her head with a sigh.

Jared patiently helped Yvonne finish her dinner.

As I was stuffed, I turned to him. “I’m thinking about hiring two live-in servants to help take care of Yvonne. What do you think?”

Jared looked a little surprised but didn’t push back. “You handle the house stuff however you want. Fine by me.”

“Why servants?” Yvonne blinked, looking innocent. “Aren’t you my servant, Mom? Don’t you want to take care of me anymore?”

I nodded. “I’m tired and need a break. Plus, I want to take a short trip. Staying cooped up at home’s driving me nuts.”

“Trip?” Jared frowned. “Yvonne’s in school. Where are you going?”

I held out my hand, glancing at my smooth nails. “Chill out. It’s not far–just a quick escape nearby.”

“Dad, I don’t want Mom to leave. I still need her to drive me to and from school,” Yvonne whined. Just moments ago, she’d been shooting me death glares, but that attitude disappeared the instant she heard I was heading out.

She slid off Jared’s lap and latched onto my leg. “Mom, even though you scolded me earlier, I’m not mad. Let’s make up, okay?”

Looking at my clever little girl, I could already see Jared in her. At her age, she’d picked up his best and worst–sharp, quick, knowing exactly how to read a room and play her cards.

In my previous life, I’d praised her for being “smart” and “thoughtful.” But the truth was, I was a total failure as a mom. I dropped the ball with her character; she didn’t show me an ounce of respect.

“Alright, I’m not angry,” I said with a flat tone. “But sweetheart, you’re about to start elementary school. You’re a big girl now. It’s time to learn to do things by yourself–stop relying on everyone else.”

“Mom, I’m still little,” Yvonne said, batting her eyelashes and pouting. “I need you. And I’ll love you—promise—if you stop getting on my case.”

I smiled faintly. “I’m tough on you because I care. I don’t want you developing bad habits. Trust me, nobody likes a bratty kid.”

Jared gave me a look that suggested I was being too harsh. “Take it easy,” he said, frowning. “She’s just a kid.”

“Six is old enough to know better. Remember when she cut up our photos?” I shot back.

“Yvonne, you can say sorry, and I’ll forgive you. But those photos are gone forever.” I pried her off my leg. “I’m heading out. Got friends to meet.”

Mom, still picking at her food, looked up. “Who are you meeting? It’s getting late; where are you off to?”

“Movie night,” I grinned, grabbed my bag, and headed for the door to slip on my shoes.

Chapter 6

All the shoes by the entry were boring–none of them had the oomph to match my curves. It bugged me for no reason. In the end, I dug through the bunch and picked out a pair of silver kitten heels.

“That’s what you’re wearing?” Jared suddenly asked, stepping up beside me.