After being reborn, I make up my mind to stop chasing after my husband and daughter

Chapter 5

I knew Yvonne was faking her stomachache to manipulate Jared and me. She was young, but already such a schemer, and had totally played me for a fool in my previous life.

I texted Jared back: [Take her to the hospital yourself.] Then I tossed my phone aside and turned back to the movie’s ending.

Jared didn’t bug me after that. When the credits rolled, a couple of guys pushed their way towards me. One bumped into me, and his face went bright red.

Melissa was about to give them an earful, but I squeezed her hand gently and said, “It’s fine.”

The guy stammered an apology, smacked his friend, and they hightailed it out of there.

Melissa grinned and nudged me. “Guess pretty girls make guys go brain–dead. Victoria, Jared’s seriously lucky. Bet the second he laid eyes on your face and body, he was dying to get you into bed, huh?”

My cheeks heated up–I was the one dying for it. Too embarrassed to say that, I just smiled and said, “You’ll get it when you have a boyfriend.”

“Get what?” Melissa blinked.

“Time passes, and even the hottest girl stops turning her man’s head eventually. Don’t pour your whole heart into love,” I said softly.

“I get it. Lately, I’ve been handling several divorce cases. Those wives are all stunners, and yet the guys still strayed. Can you believe that?” Melissa bit the words out.

I let out a bitter laugh. “Don’t pin too much hope on men.”

Melissa must’ve picked up on something, her face etched with concern as she asked, “Jared… has affairs?”

didn’t want word getting out. Though I no longer cared about him, I had to save my face. “I don’t think so,”

back home late, and yet the living room light was

up when she heard the car. She slid off Mom’s back and darted to the door, waiting

me help you get to bed. Your

I want Mommy,” Yvonne whined, shoving my mom away. “Grandma, go

car and walked into the living room. Yvonne bolted over and latched onto my leg. “Mommy, you’re home so late. Were you

her lightly. “Who taught you to say

“You hit me?” she sniffled, lips trembling as she stepped back. Then she turned and ran upstairs, sobbing like her

why did you snap at her the moment you walked in? She was waiting for you. Go easy

smiled at Mom. “Did you hear her? A kid that age saying stuff like that? She needs a

to know what ‘cheating‘ even means,” Mom said, sounding stern. “Kids have feelings too, you know.

down, I knew Yvonne’s upbringing needed a total reset. Better she resented me or ignored me now than for me to pour out all my

at the top, holding a sobbing Yvonne. It looked like

the father–daughter duo. A faint smile played on my lips, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “What, she’s been spinning

whimpered, clinging tight to Jared’s neck. With a pitiful pout, she accused me, “Mom’s trying to kill

a little slap could kill you, then

Then he set Yvonne down, crouching to comfort her. “Go to your room. I’ll be there in a

shot me a snooty glare, then stomped into

Jared to his study. Instead, I went straight to our bedroom, sat at

My thick, long hair cascaded down my back–no styling, no fancy updo, just natural loose curls that exuded an effortless charm

to be sweet, but he’d just brush

and confident. Glancing back over my shoulder, I caught