Chapter 10 Yvonne's eyes went wide . " Mom , you look so pretty today . Why didn't you wear stuff like this before ? " " From now on , I will , " I said , grabbing my bag and taking her downstairs . Jared was by the door on a call , his face as calm as ever . While talking , he glanced up at me on the stairs - his gaze paused for a moment , as if caught off guard . Wendy had laid out a big breakfast , and now she was helping feed Yvonne . I sat at the table and ate slowly , lost in thought . In my previous life , I'd wake up at 6:30 and spend an hour cooking breakfast . After wolfing down my meal , I'd drop Yvonne off at school wearing comfy , worn - out clothes . I thought I'd touched everyone's hearts - turns out , I'd only impressed myself . We were loaded , and hiring two helpers was pocket change . But back then , I just couldn't stop giving . Jared finished his call , walked over , and sat next to me . " There's an executive lunch at noon . Wanna come ? " I shook my head right away . " I've got plans . " Jared turned to me , his eyes sharp. " What plans ? Eat with someone again ? " " Nah , I've got a lesson with a teacher , " I said flatly . " What lesson ? " Jared sounded taken aback . Yvonne slurped her gruel , piping up , " Mom , didn't you always bug Dad to let you visit his office ? This is your chance , so why not go ? " Her words hit me hard - why was I being so stubborn ? Jared rarely ever invited me to work events . And avoiding Tracy wasn't like me at all . I switched gears . " Okay . Where's the lunch ? I'll make it . " Jared frowned . " You just said you had a lesson . You didn't even check with me first . " I let out a small laugh . " I never checked with you about anything , remember ? " Jared looked anything but pleased , as if he thought I was being an irrational , dramatic wife . I said , " The house's fine with the servants . I want to take dancing and violin again . I hired an Englysian tutor , too . And soon I'm getting a job . " " Why work ? " Jared clearly had a problem with it . " We don't need you to bring in extra cash . " " I don't want to be a lazy housewife anymore . " I held his gaze , firm . " I want my own career . I hope you'll support that . " Jared tossed his fork onto the table and stood up . " No way ." My face stiffened ; I didn't say a word , but the look said it all . Jared continued , " Your job is taking care of the house and Yvonne . If you need cash , just ask . " He pulled a card out of his pocket and dropped it on the table . " Spare card . Use it . " 1/2 I stared at the card , a small laugh slipping out . No doubt my defiance had gotten under his skin . He'd told his friends I was low - maintenance and family - focused - the kind of wife who'd stay home without complaining , but could also shine when we went out . To him , being his full - time wife was my job , and I was supposed to nail that role without ever wanting more . What I said was threatening his little kingdom . And he wasn't about to let that happen . Yvonne jumped right in , taking his side . " Mom , Dad's super busy with work . Why stress him out ? Your job is just to take care of me . Dad makes more than enough money . " After a brief pause , she yelled angrily , " You're being selfish with this job stuff . You've been ignoring me . I was gone two days , and you didn't even call to check on me . You're not a good mom ." I slammed the bowl in my hand onto the floor . The crash echoed - silencing the room for a long , tense second . Wendy and Joyce were also startled . They quickly rushed over to clean up the mess . I turned to Jared , my eyes sharp . " I said I don't want to be stuck at home as a housewife . I want a job . If you're not okay with that , we're getting a divorce ." In my first life , Jared had threatened divorce a hundred times , but I'd clung to him for Yvonne's sake , begging him to stay . Now , the word rolled off my tongue like it was nothing . Finally , I was in control . " Say that again ? " Jared's eyes locked onto mine - calm on the surface , but I could see the storm brewing .