Chapter 3 Jared seemed uncomfortable with my outfit . He probably thought my clothes were totally inappropriate - no decent woman would wear something so revealing and sexy . " Honey , Yvonne just said she wants Tracy to be her mom . Who's this Tracy ? " I asked , feigning curiosity as I stepped up to him . Jared glanced down at Yvonne , his face tight . " She's just rambling , " he told me . " Don't take it seriously . Let's go downstairs and eat . " This was unexpected . Jared was actually trying to cover things up . I remembered how I discovered Tracy in my previous life - totally by chance when I ran into him at a private room , drinking and chatting with his friends . I'd been excited , ready to pop in and say hi . But right outside the door , I overheard a man asking Jared when he planned to divorce me and give Tracy an official status . Jared had said he wasn't considering divorce because of Yvonne . The guy pressed , " So you're just gonna string Tracy along ? C'mon , you've lost all love in your marriage anyway . Divorce seems like a good option ." Jared took a drag , crushed his cigarette out , and said , " Victoria's not my dream wife , but she's the kid's mom . As long as she stays in line and learns to live with Tracy , I won't leave her . " Back then , I just froze outside that door . Never in a million years would I have guessed my husband could brush me off that easily - just the kid's mom , not his wife . He was only keeping me around out of pity because I'd given him a child , not because he saw me as his wife . I had stood there , numb , listening to him go on , " She's good - looking , which makes me look good when we're out . Plus , she takes care of the house without creating drama , exactly the kind of wife my parents want me to have . " Snapping back to reality , I trailed behind Jared and Yvonne as they headed downstairs . Mom was getting dinner ready for them , ladling out soup she'd been simmering for hours . Jared was as sweet to Mom as he'd always been - no complaints there . " Grandma , " Yvonne piped up , pouting , " how'd you have a daughter this mean ? Can you take her back ? " I'd just reached the top of the stairs . Without waiting for Mom to respond , I shot back coldly , " If people could return kids , you'd be first . Bet on it ? " My words must've sounded pretty scary . Yvonne flinched and scrambled to huddle closer to Jared . Jared shot me a disapproving look . " Victoria , what's your deal today ? Why do you keep picking on Yvonne ? She's your daughter - the one you carried for ten months . Can't you see how much you're hurting her ? " I sat down , grabbed the soup bowl , and took a bite . " She started it . And for your info , I'm my mom's perfect girl . But your daughter told my mom she wishes I had never been born . I can't get mad ? " 1/3 Mom jumped in , smiling to smooth things over . " Jared , Victoria's just fired up . Don't take it hard . Yvonne , here - cola chicken wings . Your favorite ." Yvonne pushed her plate away . " No. " I snagged it right up . " I'll take ' em , Mom . Love these . " Mom sensed the sudden absence of my maternal warmth and just shook her head with a sigh . Jared patiently helped Yvonne finish her dinner . As I was stuffed , I turned to him . " I'm thinking about hiring two live - in servants to help take care of Yvonne . What do you think ? " Jared looked a little surprised but didn't push back . " You handle the house stuff however you want . Fine by me ." " Why servants ? " Yvonne blinked , looking innocent . " Aren't you my servant , Mom ? Don't you want to take care of me anymore ? " I nodded . " I'm tired and need a break . Plus , I want to take a short trip . Staying cooped up at home's driving me nuts ." " Trip ? " Jared frowned . " Yvonne's in school . Where are you going ? " I held out my hand , glancing at my smooth nails . " Chill out . It's not far - just a quick escape nearby ." " Dad , I don't want Mom to leave . I still need her to drive me to and from school , " Yvonne whined . Just moments ago , she'd been shooting me death glares , but that attitude disappeared the instant she heard I was heading out . She slid off Jared's lap and latched onto my leg . " Mom , even though you scolded me earlier , I'm not mad . Let's make up , okay ? " Looking at my clever little girl , I could already see Jared in her . At her age , she'd picked up his best and worst - sharp , quick , knowing exactly how to read a room and play her cards . In my previous life , I'd praised her for being " smart " and " thoughtful . " But the truth was , I was a total failure as a mom . I dropped the ball with her character ; she didn't show me an ounce of respect . " Alright , I'm not angry , " I said with a flat tone . " But sweetheart , you're about to start elementary school . You're a big girl now . It's time to learn to do things by yourself - stop relying on everyone else . " " Mom , I'm still little , " Yvonne said , batting her eyelashes and pouting . " I need you . And I'll love you - promise - if you stop getting on my case . " I smiled faintly . " I'm tough on you because I care . I don't want you developing bad habits . Trust me , nobody likes a bratty kid . " Jared gave me a look that suggested I was being too harsh . " Take it easy ," he said , frowning . " She's just a kid ." " Six is old enough to know better . Remember when she cut up our photos ? " I shot back . " Yvonne , you can say sorry , and I'll forgive you . But those photos are gone forever . " I pried her off my leg . " I'm heading out . Got friends to meet . " Mom , still picking at her food , looked up . " Who are you meeting ? It's getting late ; where are you off to ? " " Movie night , " I grinned , grabbed my bag , and headed for the door to slip on my shoes . 2/3 Chapter 6 All the shoes by the entry were boring - none of them had the oomph to match my curves . It bugged me for no reason . In the end , I dug through the bunch and picked out a pair of silver kitten heels . " That's what you're wearing ? " Jared suddenly asked , stepping up beside me .