Housewife Gone Wild

Chapter 29

When the steaks arrived, Jared cut Yvonne’s portion into pieces, but she pushed her plate away, too full. With a sigh, he turned and noticed me still sipping my wine. “Would you like me to cut yours?” he offered.

I’m fine.” I understood this was simply his upbringing showing–the reflexive good manners of a man trained from birth in proper etiquette, not actual care.

We ate without conversation, the only sound being Jared’s phone buzzing with another message from Tracy–which he continued to ignore.

We maintained the ritual of family dinners, though ours contained none of the warmth those words suggested.

When dinner ended, Jared stood abruptly. “I have things to handle. Take Yvonne home.”

We both knew where he was going. I answered with a single “Fine,” scooped up Yvonne, and retreated to the car.

“Dad, where are you going? Can I come?” Yvonne asked, her tone suddenly brightening as if she’d guessed who he was meeting. “Please? There’s nothing to do at home.”

bring her, of course. His evening with Tracy

time,” Jared declined. “This

me with a disappointed

the driver to leave immediately, yet an indescribable sorrow

affair. What did that make me, the actual wife? Everyone claimed the first marriage mattered most, while the others were just temporary.

picked up a book and read until she drifted off to sleep. After tucking her in, I headed back

But I slept just fine–before closing my eyes, I let myself think about Nathan

Jared called to ask if I’d taken Yvonne to school. After all, her

going and wanted more time off, he just

dance and violin

after day, I dragged little Yvonne to tutoring sessions, never missing

then, Yvonne’s eyes burned with resentment whenever she looked at me. My relentless