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

When Jared hugged me, all I could think about was how another woman had been in his arms and how her perfume still lingered on him.

My body stiffened before I could stop it. I stepped back quickly, then turned and fled to my bedroom.

Since our daughter was born, Jared and I had maintained separate bedrooms. He only visited mine when he wanted sex. Most nights, he slept alone in the guest room, leaving me the master suite to myself.

I didn’t care whether my rejection wounded him. I remained in my room until dinner called me downstairs.

Downstairs, I found Jared helping Yvonne feed her pony. When Wendy announced dinner, they washed up and took their places at the table.

“Dad,” Yvonne whined the instant she saw me, clutching Jared’s arm, “Mom hasn’t made fried meatballs in forever. Can you make her cook some now?”

Jared met my eyes. “Yvonne’s begging for your meatballs. Feel like making some?”

Wendy stood beside the dining table, her eyes darting between the spread of dishes she’d just prepared and my indifferent expression.

cooking tonight,” I said flatly, not moving from my chair. “There’s more than enough food

of this,” Yvonne announced, crossing her arms stubbornly. “I only want

Yvonne’s eating habits all too well—the aversion to spices and the limited palate. I’d spent years coaxing just a

just for her. Yet here she was, still complaining. I figured this

sound good,” Jared said, taking her side as usual. “Why don’t

I asked, “do you have any clue how long proper meatballs take

that’s before all the kneading

looked surprised. “I figured it

reaction, Yvonne pouted. “Dad, I only want meatballs. If

eat.” My patience was

she assumed persistence would make me give in again.

something,” he said wearily. “We’ll grab burgers later

show of sighing before dragging