Chapter 31

George took a sip of coffee. "Ms. Murphy has had a child and reached a certain age. Maturity was inevitable," he said.

I glanced at George. He wasn’t wrong, but it was interesting he’d addressed me as “Ms. Murphy” rather than the casual “Victoria.”

Jared let out a tired sigh. "She was so easy when she was little. Now she's a teenager who talks back constantly, and I don't know how to deal with her anymore."

Sandra smiled knowingly. "No one understands parenting like Victoria. She put her whole life on hold for six years to raise Yvonne–that kind of devotion shows."

I smiled bitterly to myself. Morality wasn’t taught–it was something people were born with or without, plain as that.

Lunch was served amid pleasant conversation. Jared made a show of putting food on my plate–those carefully calculated husband gestures he’d mastered.

Sandra watched with undisguised envy while Wendell shoveled food into his mouth, completely oblivious.

Without Tracy, without Jared’s betrayal, I might have called this a happy marriage. But that illusion had shattered long ago.

After lunch, true to his word, Jared transferred the money. When he asked if I was going to the office that afternoon, I declined, saying I needed to visit the Harmonia Hotel site instead.

He arranged for his driver to take me while he left with George.

After six years of marriage, we’d settled into a comfortable routine–all the passion spent, our conversations as predictable as the tide.

Was this what happened to all marriages eventually? Or was ours uniquely empty?

The Harmonia Hotel occupied two buildings in a prime location, though its aging facilities showed their years. While its reputation kept occupancy decent, the declining numbers spelled an inevitable end.

Night had fallen by the time I finished my inspection. I left with photographs and blueprints tucked under my arm.

Yvonne was happily occupied with her new pony, though I’d resolved to send her back to school the next day.

Jared returned for dinner in his usual suit, shrugging off his jacket as he entered.

I didn’t look up from the hotel documents spread across my lap until I felt his gaze.

There was a time when I’d rush to greet him, taking his coat to hang up while asking about dinner and even offering to draw his bath.

Today, however, I didn’t even shift on the couch. Jared waited a beat before taking his coat upstairs himself.

“Dad, look at my drawing!” Yvonne called from the stairs. Then her voice turned sulky. “Mom won’t play with me. Is she really going back to work? But you promised she’d stay home with me forever.”

I frowned at her words. When had Jared ever made that promise to her?

“Your mom should work if she wants to,” Jared murmured. “You’re a big girl now with school and friends. You’ll have plenty to do.”

“No!” Yvonne thumped down on the steps. “I want Mom home. I’m still little, and taking care of me is her job.”

I couldn’t even fake a smile when I heard that.

They said love should go both ways, but while I gave her my whole heart, all she wanted was to keep me prisoner in our home. Yvonne’s version of love was pure selfishness wrapped in control.

“Yvonne, stop being unreasonable,” Jared said sternly, realizing how self-absorbed his daughter had become–a clear parenting failure. “Your mother and I won’t always be around. You need to learn independence.”

“Dad…” Yvonne completely disregarded my words but perked up at her father’s voice, putting on that childish pout she thought was cute.

“This discussion is over. You’re going to school tomorrow,” Jared declared before striding upstairs.

Yvonne came storming down with a scowl, and when she saw the documents in my hands, she grabbed them with every intention of tearing them apart.

Without hesitation, I struck out, my hand connecting with her arm.

“What are you doing?” Yvonne screamed. “You’re not my mom. Get out!”

Yvonne’s temper was getting worse by the day, and it stunned me. Jared and I were both calm people–so why did she fly off the handle over the smallest things?

Then it clicked. Jared’s sister–my sister-in-law–had the same explosive temper. Maybe it was in their blood.

“Go stand outside for thirty minutes,” I said coldly, pointing to the door.

“No!” Yvonne hesitated for a split second before crossing her arms defiantly.

“Then no dinner for you.” I knew I had to rein her in.

“I’ll just sneak food,” she shot back with a huff.

Looking at my spoiled little tyrant, I felt a pang of regret. They said too much love bred rebellion–now I knew it firsthand.

“Yvonne, starting tomorrow, there will be rules,” I said. “Break them, and you’ll face the consequences.” With that, I turned and walked upstairs. Other kids learned discipline early. At six, she was already pushing limits–if I didn’t act now, she’d run wild.

“How dare you!” Yvonne planted her hands on her hips, her voice shrill. “Just wait till I tell Grandma about this.”

Upstairs, I nearly collided with Jared stepping out of the shower. In sweatpants and a t-shirt, he looked younger–more like the man I’d first fallen for than the polished executive in suits.

I’d be lying if I said his looks and bank account hadn’t drawn me in initially. Six years later, his disciplined gym routine kept him just as attractive. Now, the sight hit me with unexpected nostalgia.

Jared leaned against the hallway wall, studying me. “That face again,” he said. “What did Yvonne do this time?”

“You deal with her,” I sighed, my voice full of defeat. “I’m done.”

“That’s quitting talk,” he said, his voice hardening. “She’s just a kid. We’ll figure this out.”

Jared blinked at my outburst. Then, in one fluid motion, he drew me into his arms.