Chapter 2 I had been so small - minded in my precious life . Now , I saw things clearer . I didn't need to prove I was pretty or that I'd always be loved - what a stupid waste of time . Luckily , I'd got looks to spare . Those looks I got from people made that crystal clear . But beauty was just one thing I'd got going for me . Last time around , I'd been stuck on all that nonsense - guys fawning over me , girls jealous as hell . But now , that whole mindset felt like a fragile bubble . One tiny touch , and it burst . Now that I got a second shot at life , I knew being pretty should be just one card in my deck . Power , money , and respect were the real game - changers . Fairness wouldn't just fall into my lap , and I needed the skills and brains to take on the world . I already lived through that nightmare of a previous life . From now on , I was keeping it simple : no drama , no tears . After staring at myself for what felt like forever , I stripped off my casual dress and headed into the bathroom . In those five years of marriage , I'd been all about being the perfect wife . To keep Jared from worrying , I'd long since packed away or straight - up tossed - all those revealing outfits . Every time I went shopping , I only looked for modest pieces that screamed " good girl . " My body was still killer - with that classic married woman's soft , smooth look . Even a simple fitted dress could showcase my killer curves . Why would I waste this perfect figure ? The sky was turning dark , and a sleek SUV rolled up to the gate . I figured it was Warner , Jared's driver , dropping off Yvonne . But nope - it was Jared himself . He opened the back door , and Yvonne dragged her backpack into the living room . Spotting me on the couch , she hurled the backpack at me and yelled , " Mom , why didn't you pick me up ? You promised you'd be on time every day ." Looking at my little girl - so young , yet so quick to fly off the handle - I knew I'd spoiled her rotten . She stared at me with that demanding look , like a princess ordering around her hardworking maid . Jared stepped in , scowling . Barely thirty , he already had that CEO vibe . Dressed in a sharp suit , he looked like a total power player straight out of a romance novel . I'd loved him so much I'd lost myself in my previous life . But now , he was just a lover of yesterday , totally dead to me . " I never wanna talk to you again , " Yvonne shrieked at me . " You're a terrible mom . " I shot up and cornered her at the bottom of the stairs . I grabbed her collar , making sure she couldn't bolt . Yvonne thrashed , eyes wide , pure disbelief and fury blazing out like she could torch me with a look . " Pick up your backpack , " I said , calm but hard . " NO ! " she yelled right back . I lifted my hand . Yvonne squeezed her eyes shut , bracing for the hit . " Victoria , Jared called , his voice low . 1/3 I turned and locked eyes with him . He hurried over , picked up the backpack , and led the fuming Yvonne upstairs . The commotion brought Mom out of the kitchen . " What's going on ? Is that Yvonne crying ? " she asked . I walked over to her . " Yeah , I was just disciplining her . She was acting out . " Mom looked disapproving . " She's just a kid ." " That's why she needs to learn who's in charge , " I said . My voice came out cold as ice . Mom gave me a few weird looks . She must feel it strange . Yvonne had been my entire world , and I'd never even raised my voice to her . When she threw a tantrum , I'd spend hours trying to calm her down , usually giving in to whatever she wanted in the end . But now , I was done being patient . Coddling an ungrateful kid was just a waste of my time . After all , she'd end up fawning over her stepmom instead of me . Then I went help Mom cook dinner . There was no live - in maid in the house ; I'd always handled the cooking myself . Only a cleaning crew swept through every three days , and a lawn guy would swing by regularly to keep the yard in check . I'd wanted to be a perfect wife - keep the house running like a well - oiled machine , so Jared'd see how hard I was trying , Maybe then , he'd say something good about me when he talked to other people . " Mom , I'm heading to the housekeeping agency tomorrow ," I said while rinsing veggies . Mom stirred a pan on the stove and gave me a puzzled look. " Why ? Gonna replace the cleaner ? " " Nah . I'm planning to hire two full - time maids for our place , " I replied casually . " Huh ? " Mom's eyes widened . " This house isn't that much work . Cooking , laundry , picking up the kid - can't you handle that ? " " Mom , I'm a wealthy man's wife now . I'm done with cleaning floors . " I laughed , but my tone was serious . " Families like ours typically have three or four full - time housekeepers . Why should I break my back ? I can afford it . " " But … " Mom began , then quickly turned back to the stove as the food in the pan started to sizzle and nearly burn . Mom and I whipped up five dishes and a soup . After setting the table , she nudged me . " Go call Jared and Yvonne . Dinner's getting cold . " I headed upstairs right away . In the kids ' room , I found Yvonne still crying , holding a small pair of scissors . She was cutting up photos of herself and me , shredding my pictures and leaving only hers intact . " What are you doing ? " I was shocked . Just a little scolding , and she was out here destroying our pictures - this kid was truly heartless . " I don't want you as my mom . " She glared up , fire in her eyes . " You're so mean . You yelled at me ." I looked down at her . Whatever little maternal warmth I had fizzled out . " Fine . If not me , then who ? " I asked , my voice calm . Fuming , Yvonne blurted out , " I want Tracy to be my mom . She's so nice to me , not like you . You didn't pick me up , lied , and even raised your voice at me . I hate you ! " 1 didn't expect her to mention Tracy and wanted to dig deeper . 2/3 Chapter 2 Just then , Jared's stern voice came from outside the door . " Yvonne , stop talking nonsense . " Spotting Jared , who had just gotten off his call , Yvonne dropped the scissors right away , darted into his arms , and clung to him , sniffling . " Dad , I don't want her as my mom . She yelled at me ." Jared's gaze snapped to me . For a split second , his eyes went wide - shocked . I knew why . I was wearing this tight lace minidress , the kind that shows off my back . My figure - slim , with skin tender as cream - was out there for anyone to see .