Housewife Gone Wild

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?

*****

The Harmonia Hotel occupied two buildings in a prime location, though its aging facilities showed their years. While its reputation kept occupancy decent, the declining numbers spelled an inevitable end.

my inspection. I left with photographs and blueprints

her new pony, though I’d resolved to

for dinner in his usual suit, shrugging off his jacket

from the hotel documents spread across

taking his coat to hang up while asking about dinner and even offering

the couch. Jared waited a beat before taking

sulky. “Mom won’t play with me. Is she really going

at her words. When had Jared ever

should work if she wants to,” Jared murmured. “You’re a big girl now with school and friends. You’ll have

1/3

to do”

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

even fake a smile when I heard

but while I gave her my whole heart, all she wanted was to

how self–absorbed his daughter had become–a clear parenting failure. “Your mother and I won’t

up at her father’s voice, putting on

over. You’re going to school tomorrow,”

saw the documents in my hands, she grabbed them with every intention of tearing

my hand connecting with

you doing?” Yvonne screamed. “You’re not

Jared and I were

sister–in–law–had the same explosive temper. Maybe it was in

minutes,” I said coldly,

for a split second before crossing

you.” I knew I had to rein

sneak food,” she shot back with

pang of regret. They said too much