Chapter 20 " Fine , " I replied , closing my eyes to signal the discussion was over . Like sand , men escaped when held too tightly . Push them too hard , and they'd only push back harder . It wasn't worth the fight . Play by their rules , and their better nature might show itself . That was when a smart woman could claim her advantage . I knew Jared from before - knew the only way to get anything from him was to play vulnerable . Let him pity me , and I might just get what I wanted . The hours at the hospital passed quickly . Before we knew it , evening had arrived . Yvonne's cut turned out to be shallow , so after changing the dressing , the doctor cleared us to leave . Our usually dramatic daughter actually grew more cautious after the scare . Yvonne's injury kept her home from school the next day . Though she pleaded for company , I prioritized the hotel negotiations at Jared's company , confident the servants would care for her properly . Jared frowned when I didn't offer to cancel my plans and stay at home . This time around , I could no longer fake motherly affection , and Jared's silent stares made it clear he'd marked the change in me . The powder - blue dress hugged my curves as I perfected my makeup . Jared's voice came from beyond the bedroom door . " You're really going to the office ? Yvonne needs you right now . " " She'll manage . " I fastened my earrings . " Six is plenty old to start learning self - reliance . " " You've changed , Victoria ," Jared said , his gaze sweeping over me . " There was a time when you'd drop everything the moment Yvonne cried . A single cough would keep you glued to her side for days ." " She's not a baby anymore . Six - year - olds don't need constant coddling . I walked myself to school at that age . " Even as I said it , I knew how hollow it sounded . At six , she was caught between babyhood and childhood - still clinging to me one moment , yet quick to take her future stepmother's side against me the next . Without another word , Jared disappeared downstairs to comfort Yvonne . The tantrum ended with his promises of a pony for the backyard . I watched his indulgence with quiet satisfaction . He'd regret spoiling her like this . In my previous life , he'd handed his entire company to Yvonne . She burned through hundreds of millions in a single year , a testament to her talent for financial ruin . " Don't you love me anymore , Mom ? " Yvonne sniffled from the couch , her injured leg carefully positioned . " You're all dressed up to leave me when I'm hurt . " " Love's more than words , darling , " I said , smoothing my dress . " I need to work so we can have nice things . Listen to Joyce and Wendy , and call me if you need anything ." 1/2 Her six - year - old mind struggled with this twisted economics lesson . Jared finally emerged from his consolation mission . " We can ride together , " he said , eyeing my approach to my own car . " No , I might need to go out later . " I wasn't about to spend time trapped in a car with a man I barely tolerated anymore . His car disappeared down the driveway without another word . As I pulled away , a thrill ran through me - this independence would've terrified my past self . Jared's money had kept me comfortable , but I refused to beg for another cent .