Chapter 48

Tracy was clearly stabbing me in the heart again, but she kept acting sweet and gentle, which only made me look more naive and clueless.

“Of course, no. Sorry for troubling you,” I said, forcing a grateful smile as I headed to the elevator.

I didn’t care anymore if Tracy was trying to win over both Jared and Yvonne. If a man didn’t want to stay, it was better to let him go sooner rather than later. It was not a big deal.

As for Yvonne, her actions tonight really hurt me. To her, Tracy’s life mattered, but mine didn’t.

I grabbed some food upstairs and sat on a cold bench for a long time.

Then Jared called me. “Are you done eating? Come upstairs and keep Yvonne company, will you? I have to go back to the office for some work.” His voice was as calm and gentle as always.

I just hummed in response and went upstairs.

Tracy was sitting next to Yvonne’s bed, helping her open a new toy. Yvonne’s pale face looked both excited and happy.

But as soon as I walked in, Yvonne’s happy expression disappeared, as if I had come at the wrong time.

“Yvonne, dear. Tracy and I need to go to the office for a bit. Your mom will stay here with you, so make sure you listen to her,” Jared said gently.

“Oh,” Yvonne muttered with a pout, clearly unhappy.

Jared looked at me, but I avoided his gaze and focused on tidying the table.

Before leaving, Jared reminded me again, “The nurse just brought some medicine. Don’t forget to give it to Yvonne, okay?”

“I don’t want to take medicine. I already got a shot. I don’t need it,” Yvonne whined right away.

I said flatly, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she takes it.”

Yvonne looked at me nervously and then turned to Jared with a pitiful expression. “Daddy, please come back soon.”

Tracy assured her softly, “Mr. Holcomb will be back as soon as he’s done with work.”

It was late at night, and a man and a woman were alone together. No one knew how long they would be gone.

Once Jared and Tracy left, I poured a glass of water and placed the medicine in front of Yvonne. “Take it.”

“Mom, can you get me some candy? I can’t swallow this. It’s too bitter,” Yvonne tried her little trick again, thinking I’d fall for it like before. She’d complain about the taste, and I’d end up coaxing her into taking the medicine.

“No candy. You have to take your medicine. If you don’t, I’ll call the nurse to come hold you down and make you take it,” I said flatly. After seeing how she treated Tracy, I just couldn’t feel sorry for her anymore.

“You’re so mean, Mom! Why are you being so awful?” Yvonne started crying. “I want my old mom back. I don’t want this one.”

I stared at Yvonne in shock. She was sharp indeed. She’d noticed I wasn’t the same anymore. I wondered if Jared had noticed the change in me, too.

“I’m still your mom, but the difference is that I’ve decided to teach you properly now,” I said.

“You’re just bullying me!” Yvonne crossed her arms and glared at me, fuming.

“What do you mean by mistreating? Yvonne, I’m your mom. Have you ever shown me any respect?” I asked, looking her straight in the eye.

I studied her carefully. She really took after Jared. People always said that if the dad was good-looking, the daughter would be beautiful, too. Yvonne definitely had a pretty face.

“You gave birth to me, but you don’t love me. So why should I respect you?” Yvonne shot back, her words sharp as always. She was crying, trying to make me look like a bad guy.