Chapter 11 Yvonne froze . It was the first time she'd ever seen Jared and me fight . Before , whenever we argued , I always gave in first to keep the peace . But today was different . I didn't apologize or back down . " Daddy , Mommy , please stop . " Yvonne burst into tears . She clung to Jared's arm , wiping her eyes . " I don't want you to fight . Please don't do this . " Jared looked at me , his voice cold . " Work isn't negotiable . You can keep your little hobbies , but you're not walking away from our family . " He bent down , lifted Yvonne into his arms , grabbed her tiny backpack , and walked out . I didn't shed a single tear . To be honest , I wasn't even mad . I had seen this coming . " Mrs. Holcomb , are you okay ? " Wendy and Joyce asked , voices worried .. I smiled , " I'm fine . Sorry about the mess - can you clean it up ? " Then I grabbed my purse and car keys and left . I drove around aimlessly , the wind whipping through the open window , lifting my scarf . Behind my sunglasses , my eyes started to burn . I married a rich guy and lived this shiny . To everyone else , I should've been carefree and happy . And maybe I was , once . But I'd got stuck in my head , slowly falling apart . I thought after that fight , Jared wouldn't ask me to lunch . But around eleven , while I was sitting in a café , sipping bitter coffee , he texted to ask where I was . I snapped a quick pic and sent it to him . He told me to meet him at a restaurant downstairs from his office at noon . I headed to the restroom and touched up my makeup . If Jared wanted to treat me like his arm candy , fine , I'd play the game . When I showed up , the noisy crowd went quiet . The guys couldn't even look me in the eyes . They got all polite , keeping their voices low . Some mumbled " hi , " and I smiled back . Others tossed out compliments , and I gave a nod of thanks . I made my way to Jared , who stood there in a crisp suit , over six feet tall , looking sharp . I was killing it - absolutely stunning . We must've looked perfect together . Then I saw Tracy , sitting right beside Jared . She had on a gray blazer , shoulder - length hair , looking smart and put - together . She acted casual , but her watch was a quarter - million - dollar piece , her necklace worth tens of thousands . She was subtly flexing her wealth . Tracy glanced up at me but didn't say a thing . Jared motioned for me to sit . Then everyone started chatting , digging into their food . Halfway through the meal , some guy came over to toast Jared . Jared was clearly feeling himself today - his picture - perfect wife on one side , his sharp mistress on the other . The other guys couldn't help but stare with pure jealousy . I did him a favor , acting like I had no clue who Tracy really was . I smiled , worked the room , and kept up appearances . Guys were checking me out with those hungry looks , but I played dumb and ignored them . Jared had drunk quite a lot , a faint flush coloring his handsome face . 1/2 When a guy tried to toast , Tracy stepped in. " Mr. Holcomb can't drink more , " she said . " He's got a meeting this afternoon . " The guy quickly smoothed things over with some glib remarks and dropped the idea of toasting . Obviously , Tracy had clout at the company , and everyone treated her with respect . I could tell it was a silent provocation aimed at me . But I acted like I didn't catch it . Why bother ? I was already done with this marriage . If she wanted that jerk Jared , she could have him . Tracy seemed off today , her face blank the whole time . Finally , lunch wrapped up , and I got ready to go . Jared was clearly drunk , unable to stand steady . Suddenly , he leaned into me , his hands reaching out to wrap around me in a hug . I saw Tracy raise her hand to help him up , but her arm froze midway . Back in the day , I would have killed for Jared's touch . Now , his embrace felt empty , and I even wanted to shove him away . But with all the executives watching , I didn't want to embarrass him . I gently nudged him off and signaled a male assistant to help him steady . Jared gave me a deep , intense look , his eyes burning red . " Where are you heading this afternoon ? " he asked . " I've got class , " I replied . " Send someone else to pick up Yvonne ." Jared frowned , as if my not picking up the kid was some huge crime . " Yvonne wants you to get her , " he said , clearly displeased . " I really don't have time , " I said , shaking my head . " Why don't you find someone she likes to pick her up ? I think Tracy would be perfect . " Tracy stood nearby , her face tense and her lips pressed tightly together . Jared glanced back at her and asked almost deliberately , " Tracy , you free ? " Tracy jumped to answer . " Yeah . I'll pick up Yvonne and take her to dinner afterward . "