Chapter 94

His explanation actually took me by surprise. I thought he’d just try to sweep it under the rug like before, acting like nothing happened and hoping I’d keep quiet about it.

It looked like Jared really had changed a bit lately. Sometimes I wondered if there was some weird balance in the universe: when one person stopped loving, the other suddenly started to care.

So now that I didn’t love him anymore, Jared was the one trying to win me over.

I gave him a light smile. “Relax. I’m not overthinking it. We’re all just working hard, right? I know things aren’t easy, Darling; you really do so much for this family.”

Even going so far as to use your looks to please your guest’s daughter, I added inwardly.

My considerate words made Jared’s gaze stiffen for a moment.

I quickly got up and gently ushered him out. “I’m going to take a bath now. You go tuck Yvonne in.”

I shoved Jared backward until he was out of the door; his scowl flashed, and I slammed the door in his face.

After my bath, Jared was still in Yvonne’s room, coaxing her to sleep, while I’d already crawled into bed.

That night, Jared didn’t come to mess with me.

Early the next morning, before my alarm even went off, my phone started ringing.

Sally’s voice came through the line. “Victoria, I’m heading over to your place now. Get Yvonne dressed. We’re going to Leayinn Church to pray. It’s Sunday.”

I was momentarily stunned, then remembered that Sally always liked to pray on Sunday.

“Mom, can I just skip it this time? I’ve still got work to finish today,” I tried to politely decline.

“No way, you have to go,” Sally cut me off, her tone leaving no room for argument. “You need this more than anyone. Anyway, I’m already outside. Go get Yvonne up, now.”

I knew Sally usually acted all easygoing, but when it came to things she cared about, she could totally pull out that classic rich lady attitude.

I got up, got dressed, and went to wake Yvonne. But Yvonne wasn’t having it. She rolled over in bed a couple of times and promptly fell back asleep.

I had no choice but to change her clothes right there in bed. Yvonne grumbled irritably, “Mom, didn’t you say you were done with me? Why do I have to get up so early?”

“Your grandma wants to go to the church to pray, and she wants to bring you along,” I explained.

“I don’t want to go,” Yvonne whined, still cranky from being woken up.

“Your grandma’s here. You can tell her yourself,” I said, not in the mood to argue anymore, and got up to get ready.

As I walked past Jared’s room, I saw his door was already open. It looked like he’d headed out early.

Sally had come over for breakfast, and she wasn’t alone. Quinn was with her, wearing that signature look of indifference.

“Come on, sweetie, hurry up and get downstairs. I will buy you a toy later today,” Sally coaxed, showing just how good she was at spoiling Yvonne. Sally would promise Yvonne anything.

Quinn was already eating breakfast upstairs. When I came down, she barely glanced at me. “Victoria, you’re really starting to enjoy the good life, huh? Weren’t you used to cooking at home? Now you’ve got two maids, and you just get to kick back and relax.”

Sure enough, Quinn just couldn’t stand to see me doing well. The moment I looked comfortable, she got annoyed.

Wendy, looking a bit awkward, set down a plate of freshly baked pies and quickly slipped back into the kitchen.

I sat down at the table and said coolly, “Once you get married, you’ll definitely make a great wife. You’re already so considerate of your future in-laws.”

Quinn rolled her eyes. “Not everyone gets the same life, you know. I’m definitely not doing any housework. Don’t lump me in with you, Victoria.”

“I never did any housework at my parents’ place, either,” I shot back.

“That’s different. Your family and ours? Not even close,” Quinn said, practically oozing with superiority.

Just as I was about to snap back, Sally came down the stairs, holding Yvonne’s hand. I had no choice but to keep quiet and finish my breakfast in silence.

After breakfast, we all headed out to Leayinn Church.

The church was ancient and said to be super effective. People flocked here from all over just to pray for a little luck.

On Sunday, the place was packed. But since Sally was a regular, she always had someone arranging everything for her whenever she came to pray.

I was standing in the hall, eyes closed, sincerely wishing for a little more money in my life, when I suddenly sensed someone walking right next to me.

Just then, I heard Jared’s voice by my ear. “What are you praying for?”