bChapter /bb14 /b

“I don’t want bto /bget left behind. Things change fast these bdays/b, and women have breal /bopportunities. I’m not interested in being ba /bkept woman in the Hob family,” bI /bsaid firmly, letting just a hint of vulnerability show in my beyes/b.

bSally /bbstared /bat bme/bb, /bher eyes wide. bAfter /ba long pause, she said, “So you’re not gonna give our Hob family a boy?”

bI /bknew bI /bcouldn’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.

“bI /bcan work and still try to get pregnant,” I smiled. “bIt’s /bbeen six years, and nothing’s happened. Maybe being cooped up at home bhas /bbeen weighing me down. Getting a job might lift my mood, and who knows? Maybe that’ll help things happen bfaster/b.”

Sally’s face soured. “I wanted you to rx 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 aboutworking, showing off, and climbing the corporatedder.

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 youter,” Melissa said. She was always mmed with work. Even through the phone, I could hear a woman crying and guys shouting in the background.

bI /bwent studying like usual. Around noon, Yvonne called. “Mom, where are you? Can youe 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 t.

“I wanna eat with you,” Yvonne said, switching to her cute, begging tone like she always did. “Please,e get meb./bb” /b

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 ck 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.