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?

*****

location, though its aging facilities showed their years. While its reputation kept occupancy

the time I finished my inspection. I

pony, though I’d resolved to send

dinner in his usual suit, shrugging off his jacket as he

from the hotel documents spread

coat to

Jared waited a beat before taking his coat upstairs

play

words. When had Jared ever made that promise

“You’re a big

1/3

to do”

thumped down on the steps. “I want Mom home. I’m still little, and taking care of

a smile when I heard

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

become–a clear parenting failure. “Your mother and I won’t

perked up at her father’s voice,

going to school tomorrow,” Jared declared before

she saw the documents in my hands, she grabbed

I struck out, my hand connecting

are you doing?” Yvonne screamed. “You’re not my mom. Get

getting worse by the day, and it stunned me. Jared and I were both calm people–so

Jared’s sister–my sister–in–law–had the same explosive temper. Maybe

I said

hesitated for a split second before crossing her arms

dinner for you.” I knew I had to