Chapter 55

Sally thought that since we were rich, I should focus on the family. But this time, I wouldn’t just sit at home as a housewife, no matter what. Money was okay, but feeling worthless and disrespected hurt.

I stood my ground. “Sally, I’ve made up my mind. I have to work. Yvonne is older now; if she’s bored, I’ll hire a tutor for her.”

“No way!” Yvonne shot back. “I’m not taking lessons.”

Sally didn’t look pleased with my stubbornness.

Just then, Jared showed up at the door. He was wearing a suit with a white shirt, looking all professional. When he saw me, he seemed to remember our fight last night, and his face instantly went cold.

“Daddy…” Yvonne, like a sweet little bird, flew into his arms. “Why are you here? Don’t you have work?”

Jared scooped her up and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Daddy just wanted to see you.”

Yvonne asked, “Can you take me out for lunch?”

After things went bad between me and Jared, Yvonne stuck to Jared like glue. Luckily, he was always patient and loving with her.

“Sure, Mom, you two come with us.” Jared walked to the elevator with Yvonne in his arms.

Sally and I trailed behind, lugging a few bags, and squeezed into the elevator. It was tiny and packed. Sally shoved me back, and I ended up pressed against Jared.

At some point, I stopped seeing Jared as my husband. Being close to him made me uneasy, like he was just someone I knew.

In the basement parking lot, Jared put Yvonne in his car, gave the driver the address, and closed the door.

“I’ll ride with you,” Jared said to me.

Sally had a driver, too. So, all three cars took off together.

Jared sat next to me in the passenger seat. He was quiet for a bit, lost in thought.

I focused on driving and stayed quiet.

“I was down yesterday; don’t take it personally,” Jared said, turning to look at me as we stopped at a red light.

I gripped the steering wheel tightly, holding back my emotions. In my previous life, his apology would’ve made me cry and act all hurt, hoping he’d notice and care more.

But now, his words didn’t mean a thing. I didn’t want to show weakness in front of him. I just wanted to talk about divorce calmly. “I’m not overthinking it,” I said coolly.

Jared stared at me. He must be shocked that I did not cry or blame him.

After all, before I “came back,” I cried at least three times in two months. Each time, I begged for his care and kindness, like a fish out of water without his love.

“No more divorce talk,” Jared said firmly.

I chuckled softly. “Not talking won’t solve our problems.”

“What problems?” Jared asked, his voice getting harsher.

I paused for a few seconds. “Our life is boring, like plain water. I’m not a great mom and don’t have a real career. You’re always away working for weeks. I’m tired of this cycle.”

Jared went quiet after that. But he didn’t get it. He scoffed, “Life must be too easy for you to think like that.”

I froze and glanced at him. Jared kept going, “Forget your obscure major. Can it get you a decent job after college? Even if you did, what difference would you make?”

I gripped the steering wheel tighter. What he said was kinda true.

Jared scoffed, “Careers aren’t built on dreams and chatter. I’m swamped with work and stressed out. Money doesn’t just appear. You want me to get you? Then learn from other wives and see my struggles.

“I’ve always spoiled you with stuff. Big monthly allowance, plenty for your parents every year. What? Marrying me, Jared, was it really that awful?”

His words were like a bucket of ice water dumped over my head, freezing me to the core.