Chapter 14 " I don't want to get left behind . Things change fast these days , and women have real opportunities . I'm not interested in being a kept woman in the Holcomb family , " I said firmly , letting just a hint of vulnerability show in my eyes . Sally stared at me , her eyes wide . After a long pause , she said , " So you're not gonna give our Holcomb family a boy? " I knew I couldn't dodge the whole " having a son " talk . But since she'd brought it up , I figured I'd link work and pregnancy in my answer . " I can work and still try to get pregnant ," I smiled . " It's been six years , and nothing's happened . Maybe being cooped up at home has been weighing me down . Getting a job might lift my mood , and who knows ? Maybe that'll help things happen faster . " Sally's face soured . " I wanted you to relax at home , living the easy life as a rich man's wife . But you got all stir - crazy from boredom . Guess luxury just isn't your thing ." " Since I'm not pregnant anyway , let me try working for a bit , huh ? Just test the waters , " I said , quickly moving over to rub her shoulders . I knew Sally was easy to sway . Show her some respect , and she'd ease up . And since all she really cared about was getting a grandson , she'd go along with anything that might help . She sipped her coffee , nodded , and said , " Fine . Talk to Jared about it . If he's on board , sure . But one thing - you two really need to hurry up . He'll be turning thirty next year . " " Got it . " I nodded along , but inside I was stone - cold calm . Having a son was never going to happen . Divorce was my next move . Sally had her social life and didn't really bother much with me . After a short chat , she got up and left . Not long after she left , my phone rang . It was Melissa , saying some college friends were having a reunion tonight and asking if I wanted to go . College reunions sounded sketchy and flirty , but the reality was way worse . They could actually break couples apart - one after another . Back in school , few cared about jobs or backgrounds . But once we started working , everything changed . Suddenly , everyone had a role , and the social gaps became crystal clear . It wasn't about having fun anymore - it was all about networking , showing off , and climbing the corporate ladder . Still , I nodded . " Why not ? I'm bored out of my mind . I'll swing by . " I'd turned down every reunion for years , but this time , I wanted to see what it was about . " Cool , I'll catch you later , " Melissa said . She was always slammed with work . Even through the phone , I could hear a woman crying and guys shouting in the background . I went studying like usual . Around noon , Yvonne called . " Mom , where are you ? Can you come pick me up ? Daddy's office is so boring - I hate it here ." She dragged the words out , whiny . Only then did I remember it was Saturday , and Jared had taken Yvonne to work with him . " I'm having lunch with my teacher . Can't leave , " I replied , my voice flat . " I wanna eat with you , " Yvonne said , switching to her cute , begging tone like she always did . " Please , come get me . " 1/2 Just then , Jared's voice came over the line . " I'm flying to Shaville for work this afternoon . You need to pick Yvonne up . " I had to head to his office . When I pulled up , the father - daughter pair was already waiting in the lobby downstairs . Jared was in a black suit , looking sharp as ever . Yvonne was bouncing around him , all dolled up in a princess dress with a little backpack . The whole scene felt quite warm . I got out of my Mercedes - Benz , and the second Jared saw what I was wearing , his eyes narrowed .