Chapter 19 My morning dance class left me drenched and pleasantly loose - limbed . Come noon , I called Sally about whether Yvonne was coming home . " Yvonne's at the amusement park with Tracy , " Sally informed me . " You should give Tracy a call ." Tracy had become like a second mother to Yvonne - genuinely devoted and always making time for her . Not that I hadn't been that mother once . There was a time when my world revolved around parent - teacher conferences and bedtime stories too . I didn't call Tracy . If my daughter smiled more with her , who was I to interfere ? I was about to eat alone when my phone buzzed with an unknown number . " Hello . Is that Victoria Murphy ? " The male voice on the line was warm and unfamiliar . " Speaking," I answered automatically before catching myself . " May I ask who's calling ? " " I'm the student you sponsored years ago ." The earnestness in his voice prickled my skin . " I was hoping we might have lunch today ." The pause stretched too long . I'd never wanted gratitude , and now wasn't the time to revisit the past - not when I had my own reasons to keep my distance . In my previous life , I'd seen enough online stories about scholarship recipients turning on their benefactors to last a lifetime . " It's just lunch , " he said , lowering his voice when he caught my hesitation . " No strings attached ." " I'm married , " I said quickly . " Meeting men alone … it wouldn't look right ." " Bring a friend then , " he offered . Though I could hear the genuine gratitude in his voice , I calmly refused . " Meeting isn't necessary . The best repayment is you succeeding , " I said , and hung up before he could argue . I enjoyed a peaceful lunch by myself . At three in the afternoon , Jared called . " Yvonne fell . Her leg's hurt . Meet us at the hospital , " he said , his voice tight . " How ? " My stomach dropped . " She tripped ." As soon as he finished , the hospital location appeared on my screen . As Yvonne's mother , I knew she needed me there . When I arrived at the hospital , Yvonne was curled against Jared , quietly crying with her leg bandaged . Tracy sat nearby , her face filled with guilt . As 1 entered , Yvonne immediately reached for me , her small voice breaking . " Mom , hold me . " 1 sat on the edge of the hospital bed and cradled her close . 1/3 " I'm so sorry , " Tracy said , her voice thick with remorse . " I should have been watching her more closely when she fell . " Jared spoke up to comfort her . " We all know how Yvonne is , always climbing where she shouldn't . This wasn't your fault . " Tracy's eyes grew red as silent tears fell . Yvonne must have cried herself to exhaustion . She fell asleep in my arms within moments . Jared watched me carefully , clearly worried I'd blame Tracy . " Victoria ," he said quickly , " Tracy was just trying to help with Yvonne . Don't be hard on her . " I nearly laughed at his protectiveness . Did he really think I'd play the jealous shrew ? " I'm so sorry , Mrs. Holcomb. " Tracy's voice trembled with tears . They both held their breath , waiting for my reaction . In my previous life , when Yvonne was my entire world , I would have torn Tracy apart for letting Yvonne get hurt . Now I barely had the energy to care . I smoothed Yvonne's tousled hair and then turned to Tracy . " Thank you for watching her . She's a handful even for me ." Their stunned silence was almost comical . Tracy looked almost disappointed when I didn't give her the dramatic scene she wanted . She'd perfected her act in my previous life - playing the fragile victim while needling me into outbursts that only made Jared despise me more . " Mrs. Holcomb , this was entirely my fault , " Tracy said with theatrical remorse , tears streaming as she made a deep , exaggerated bow . I caught her shoulders mid - bow , forcing her upright . When she snapped her head up , I saw the frustrated realization in her eyes - her performance had failed . " Jared ," I said , looking up calmly , " why don't you take Tracy home now ? I'll stay with Yvonne . " My reasonable tone and unexpected kindness toward Tracy clearly caught Jared off guard . He shifted uncomfortably . " Tracy , you should go now , " Jared said . Whether out of guilt or self - reproach , he sent her away but stayed behind himself . Tracy had no choice but to leave , though not without one last resentful look in my direction . Settling back against the raised hospital bed , I closed my eyes , our daughter secure in my arms . " Here , let me take her , " Jared offered suddenly . " You should rest ." I opened my eyes to find Jared leaning in to carefully transfer our sleeping child from my embrace . As he drew close , I saw the moment he caught my scent - something subtle and floral - and how his gaze darkened in response . I'd switched perfumes and opted for a deliberately provocative outfit - a sheer white blouse over a black lace camisole that accentuated every curve . As Jared reached for our daughter , his arm grazed my chest , and I watched his muscles tense instantly . 1 stretched languidly before moving to the couch , leaving the bed behind . 2/3 " Don't you want to know how badly she's hurt ? " Jared's voice cut through the quiet . " She'll live ," I murmured , not bothering to open my eyes . " Since when do you not care about our daughter ? " The accusation hung between us . " I care , " I said to the ceiling . " Just tell Tracy to watch her more closely . Maybe this will teach Yvonne some caution . Actually , this is a good thing . " " Tracy is … very responsible , " Jared said suddenly . " She genuinely cares for Yvonne . " I hid a bitter smile . Tracy only cared for Yvonne as an afterthought - another way to please Jared . " Tracy's quite the perfect assistant , " I said , keeping my tone carefully balanced between jest and sincerity . " She battles alongside you at work and mothers our daughter at home . Really , you should give her a raise - someone that indispensable deserves it . " Jared went quiet . I couldn't tell if I'd touched a nerve , but he clearly had no intention of continuing the conversation . After several minutes of silence , Jared abruptly changed the subject . " Victoria , I'll recommend you take over hotel operations at next month's board meeting . Start at the office tomorrow - I'll arrange the handover . "