Chapter 53

I grabbed a sandwich downstairs. When I took the pills, the bitter one got stuck in my throat. I coughed, and the bitter taste spread in my mouth. I drank water fast, but the taste stayed. Then I remembered the candy Nathan gave me this morning.

Suddenly, my eyes filled with tears. Only someone really starved for love would be won over by a piece of candy. I felt bitter inside. My previous life was so terrible that I’d feel protected just because of one candy.

I went out, turned left, and went into the store. I bought a bag of candies, tore open the package, and popped one in my mouth. It was sweet and creamy.

Holding the bag of candies, I went back to the hospital room. Jared was playing checkers with Yvonne. They were enjoying their nice father–daughter moment, but when I walked in, I ruined it.

Yvonne rolled her eyes at me and said, “Mom, go home. I want Dad to stay here with me.”

Jared glanced at me and said, “Yvonne says you yelled at her again. Victoria, I don’t care about others, but Yvonne is just a kid. Why do you pick on her?”

My eyes widened. Yvonne wronged me again. I spoiled her too much, so she treated me badly.

Taking a deep breath, I said calmly, “So now you’re saying I didn’t raise her right? Sorry, my bad. I spoiled her as a kid, and it gave her all these bad habits.”

“At least you get it.” Jared’s face turned dark. “Change that from now on.”

I shook my head and said, “Old habits are hard to break. I mean, our daughter’s probably set in her ways. It’s hard to change her.”

Yvonne pouted right away, looking upset. “Mom, what’s that supposed to mean? Are you calling me bad?” Then she turned to Jared. “Dad, look at her. I’m just a kid, and she’s talking like that!”

Jared’s face turned dark in a flash. He got up, walked over to me, and said, “Victoria Murphy, do we keep this marriage or not?”

He used my full name; that meant things were serious. In my previous life, I would’ve thought the world was ending and I had no hope at all.

But now, I knew that Jared was no saint. He was moody. Once I saw through people’s illusions, I could think straight again.

I glanced at Yvonne. She was playing with some beads, smiling smugly. It was like she was saying she’d won this round and Jared would always back her up.

I said calmly, “Jared, I’m sorry things are this bad, and I take some of the blame. But when it comes to parenting, I stick to my guns. If you don’t agree, then… let’s get a divorce.”

Sometimes emotions just took over. I said money matters. I planned to use Jared to build my career. But now, with my daughter provoking me and my husband siding with her and not getting me, I thought money could come from other places.

Even divorcing him could get me a big payout, letting me be financially free sooner. That was not all bad. I wouldn’t deal with the emotional pain anymore.

I wouldn’t worry about Yvonne’s future anymore. Mine was way more uncertain. She had the Holcomb family behind her, Jared spoiling her and helping her, while I got nothing. Only my parents cared about me. If I die, they would be the ones hurting the most.

“What did you say?” Jared was livid. His eyes shook, his voice full of threat.

I looked him straight in the eye, not scared, my voice firm. “If it’s not working, let’s just get a divorce. I don’t want to be a burden or enemies with Yvonne.”

Yvonne watched Jared get so mad. She didn’t care much. She kept playing with her beads, peeking at us every now and then.

“Go home and think about it. Stop messing with Yvonne’s life.” Jared pointed at the door, his face telling me to go.

I grabbed my purse and left. The elevator went down, but my heart didn’t drop like in my previous life, not into a hole. Instead, I felt light and free. When I let go of someone or something, my world really opened up.

I drove home, showered, and got into bed. Lying there, I thought Jared’s divorce papers would come soon. After all, I’d made him mad. He wouldn’t keep me; he’d rush the papers and never let me near Yvonne’s education again.

In Jared’s eyes, Yvonne was his real family. For him, I was just someone he could leave anytime. With that thought, I fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, I got up and headed straight to the clinic for a shot. I was still tired, but I’d stopped by Harmonia Hotel earlier to grab some files to read.

I couldn’t just laze around. Yvonne thought I was lazy. It was time to set a goal and get to work.

I was flipping through the files when a tall guy sat next to me. Then Nathan showed up with breakfast. He wasn’t in a suit; he had on a tracksuit and looked young and fit.

“Why are you back?” I stared at him, surprised.

As soon as Nathan sat down, he slowly pulled a mask from his pocket and put it on. When he looked over, his face was calm, his eyes deep, and he smiled, “Don’t worry. I was ready for this.”

I froze. Nathan had a great attitude, but he was also pretty bold.

“I brought breakfast. A lady from work made it. Have some,” Nathan said softly.

“How’d you know I didn’t eat?” I gave him a curious look, and then went back to my files.

Nathan folded his hands and leaned in. It felt respectful. “Even if you ate, have a few more bites,” he urged. His voice was so soft that I thought he was coaxing me.

I guess it had been too long since a guy took care of me. Nathan’s kindness felt good. “Thanks. I could feed myself today, thank god. I really skipped breakfast to get here.”

Nathan frowned, “Why don’t you take better care of yourself? You’re sick and skipping meals?”

Feeling playful, I teased, “Maybe because I knew someone would bring it.”

Nathan’s frown faded, and his eyes showed emotion. “Oh? You were waiting for me?”