Chapter 12

“Thanks,” Jared said. Without sparing me another glance, he strode away.

I spun on my heel and left. Since I hadn’t had a single drink at dinner, I got in the car and drove. In the afternoon, I met my violin coach and locked in the next batch of lessons.

That night, when I got home, Jared still wasn’t there. I fired up my computer and started working through the Englysian tutor’s lessons.

The next afternoon, Yvonne had a horseback riding lesson that required a parent to be there. Right after I canceled, Jared called and asked, “Why’d you cancel Yvonne’s riding lesson?”

I kept my voice steady. “I have a class this afternoon too. No time to go.”

“Victoria, this has gone way too far. What the hell is your problem?” Jared finally snapped–Yvonne was his absolute bottom

line.

I knew he’d blow up, so I kept my cool. “I’ll hire another servant tomorrow. She can take Yvonne to her lessons, drop her off at school, pick her up–won’t interfere with her grades one bit.”

Jared raised his voice. “You’re Yvonne’s mother.”

“Blood doesn’t always make the best family,” I said, speaking from hard experience.

In my previous life, I had doted on Yvonne, pouring my entire heart into her, but she only had eyes for Tracy.

When Tracy had that little surgery, Yvonne ran to sit by her bed, fawning over her. And when I was on my deathbed, she felt sorry for Tracy instead.

raising a kid like that? To tear my heart

get back

I stayed quiet.

you know how to be a mother? You’re ignoring

got. Right now, I was only focused on my

college major was hotel management, right? Take over the company’s two hotels, and you’ll get

willing to talk. “Then I’ll

clever isn’t always a good thing. Using Yvonne as leverage against me

calm. “Got it, honey. Thanks for the lesson. With a husband this generous, I’d better step

Jared’s voice rose

late for the lesson. Bye.”

1/2

Chapter 12

I drove to the riding school and found a red–eyed Yvonne. She sat with a pouty expression, while

I called,

was the last person on earth she wanted to see. “I don’t want

down to meet her eyes. “Oh yeah? Did he say he

jumped in quickly. “Mrs. Holcomb, Mr. Holcomb said he was tied up, but you’d be here. Yvonne’s

down next to Yvonne. “She’s too

got even sharper, like I was some evil

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