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

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

George took a sip of coffee. “Ms. Murphy has had a child and reached a certain age. Maturity was inevitable,” he said.

I glanced at George. He wasn’t wrong, but it was interesting he’d addressed me as “Ms. Murphy” rather than the casual “Victoria.”

Jared let out a tired sigh. “She was so easy when she was little. Now she’s a teenager who talks back constantly, and I don’t know how to deal with her anymore.”

Sandra smiled knowingly. “No one understands parenting like Victoria. She put her whole life on hold for six years to raise Yvonne–that kind of devotion shows.”

I smiled bitterly to myself. Morality wasn’t taught–it was something people were born with or without, plain as that.

Lunch was served amid pleasant conversation. Jared made a show of putting food on my plate–those carefully calculated husband gestures he’d mastered.

Sandra watched with undisguised envy while Wendell shoveled food into his mouth, completely oblivious.

Without Tracy, without Jared’s betrayal, I might have called this a happy marriage. But that illusion had shattered long ago.

After lunch, true to his word, Jared transferred the money. When he asked if I was going to the office that afternoon, I declined, saying I needed to visit the Harmonia Hotel site instead.

He arranged for his driver to take me while he left with George.

After six years of marriage, we’d settled into a comfortable routine–all the passion spent, our conversations as predictable as the tide.

Was this what happened to all marriages eventually? Or was ours uniquely empty?

*****

facilities showed their years.

the time I finished my inspection. I left with photographs and blueprints

new pony, though I’d resolved to

in his usual suit, shrugging off his jacket

spread across my lap until I felt his

him, taking his coat to hang up

couch. Jared waited a beat

turned sulky. “Mom won’t play with

words. When had Jared ever made that promise

Jared murmured. “You’re a big girl now with school and friends. You’ll

1/3

to do”

steps. “I want Mom home. I’m still little, and taking care of me is

even fake a smile when

love should go both ways, but while I gave her my whole heart, all she wanted was to keep me prisoner in our home. Yvonne’s version of love was pure selfishness wrapped in

had become–a clear parenting failure.

at her father’s voice, putting on that childish pout she thought was

over. You’re going to school tomorrow,” Jared declared before striding

when she saw the documents in

my hand connecting with

screamed. “You’re not

it stunned me. Jared and I were both calm people–so

sister–my sister–in–law–had the same

stand outside for thirty minutes,” I said coldly, pointing to the

Yvonne hesitated for a split

for you.” I knew I had to