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

I knew the difference between being handed a fish and being taught to fish. The reality was, a housewife relying solely on her own skills might survive, but she’d never thrive. Not without connections.

I was well aware of Jared’s capabilities. His education, his experience, his vast network. Riding his coattails could set me up for life in just a few years.

Sure, divorce would get me a payout. But there was a world of difference between taking a settlement and earning it yourself, I was still young. Was I really going to just coast on alimony?

No. I remembered all too well the suffocating emptiness of idle days. A week was tolerable. A year, unbearable. But decades? Unthinkable.

Humans are social creatures. We need purpose. Validation. I wouldn’t–couldn’t just fade into obscurity

“If that day comes,” I said, meeting Jared’s eyes with a calculated smile, “you can name your price. For the first time, I was negotiating with him. Not as his wife, but as an equal.

Jared clearly didn’t like my tone. His face went rigid, voice tight. “Fine. But promise me you won’t neglect Wonne because of whatever’s going on with us.”

“You’re misunderstanding me,” I said evenly. “I’m not neglecting her. I just-” The cruel truth lodged in my throat.

say it out loud? The fact that I hesitated proved

instinct flaring. “What has Yvonne done to

our daughter had betrayed me in

to handle this like

I’ve… run out of love to give.” The sigh escaped before i could

love her unconditionally, no matter what.” His stare bore into me, disappointment thick in his

upbringing. Studies show CEO fathers raise more resilient kids. Mothers coddle.

“I’ll make time. But you don’t get to check out completely. Unless… you’re

what I want–if only

me? Are you done with me, too?” He turned

with her entourage of VPs. Their group merged seamlessly, a corpor glanced back. No words, just

the lounge chair, I rested my chin on steepled fingers

lit up my

to the airport. Going back