Housewife Gone Wild

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.

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

won’t eat any of this,” Yvonne announced, crossing her arms stubbornly.

habits all too well—the aversion to spices and the limited palate. I’d spent years coaxing

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

side as usual. “Why don’t you whip some

nearly laughed out loud. “Darling,” I asked, “do you have

Wendy added helpfully. “And that’s before all the kneading to get the

looked surprised. “I

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

My patience was

worked every time before, so she assumed persistence

rubbed his temples. “Just eat something,” he said wearily.

made a show of sighing before dragging her

in silence and retreated upstairs. Let them figure out their own drama–I was done for