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bChapter /bb48 /b

Tracy was bclearly /bstabbing me in bthe /bheart againb, /bbut bshe /bbkept /bacting bsweet /band gentle, which only made me look more bnaive /bband /bclueless.

“Of courseb, /bno. Sorry for troubling you,” bI /bsaid, forcing a grateful smile bas /bI headed to the elevator.

I didn’t care anymore if Tracy was trying to win over both Jared and Yvonneb. /bIf a man didn’t want to bstay/bb, /bit bwas /bbetter bto /blet him go sooner rather thanter. It was not a big deal.

As for Yvonne, her actions tonight really hurt me. To her, Tracy’s life mattered, but mine didn’t.

I grabbed some food upstairs and sat on a cold bench for a long time.

Then Jared called me. “Are you done eating? Come upstairs and keep Yvonnepany, will you? I bhave /bto go bback /bto the office for some work.” His voice bwas /bas calm and gentle as always.

I just hummed in response and went upstairs.

Tracy was sitting next to Yvonne’s bed, helping her open a new toy. Yvonne’s pale face looked both excited and happy.

But as soon as I walked in, Yvonne’s happy expression disappeared, as bif /bI hade at the wrong time.

b“/bYvonne, dear. Tracy and I need to go to the office for a bit. Your mom will stay here with you, so make sure you listen to her,” Jared said gently.

“Oh,” Yvonne muttered with a pout, clearly unhappy.

Jared looked at me, but I avoided his gaze and focused on tidying the table.

Before leaving, Jared reminded me again, “The nurse just brought some medicine. Don’t forget to give it to Yvonne, okay?”

“I don’t want to take medicine. I already got a shot. I don’t need it,” Yvonne whined right away.

I said tly, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she takes it.”

Yvonne looked at me nervously and then turned to Jared with a pitiful expression. “Daddy, pleasee back soon.”

Tracy assured her softly, “Mr. Hob will be back as soon as he’s done with work.”

It bwas /bte at night, and a man and a woman were alone together. No one knew how long they would be gone.

bOnce /bJared and Tracy left, I poured a ss of water and ced the medicine in front of Yvonne. “Take it.”

“Momb, /bbcan /byou get me some candy? I can’t swallow this. It’s too bitter,” Yvonne tried her little trick again, thinking I’d fall for it like before. She’din about the taste, and I’d end up coaxing her into taking the medicine.

“No candy. You have to take your medicine. If you don’t, I’ll call the nurse toe hold you down and make you take it,” I said tly. After seeing how she treated Tracy, I just couldn’t feel sorry for her anymore.

“You’re so mean, Mom! Why are you being so awful?” Yvonne started crying. “I want my old mom back. I don’t want this

one.”

I stared bat /bYvonne in shock. She bwas /bsharp indeed. She’d noticed I wasn’t the same anymore. I wondered if Jared had noticed the change in me, too.

“I’m still your mom, but the bdifference /bis that bI’ve /bdecided to teach you properly now,” I said.

“You’re just bullying meb!/b” Yvonne crossed her arms and red at me, fuming.

b“/bWhat do you mean by mistreating? Yvonne, I’m your mom. Have you ever shown me any respect?” I asked, looking her straight in the eye.

I studied her carefully. She really took after Jared. People always said that if the dad was good–looking, the daughter would be beautiful, too. Yvonne definitely had a pretty face.

b“/bYou gave birth to me, but you don’t love me. So why should I respect you?” Yvonne shot back, her words sharp as always. She was crying, trying to make me look like a bad guy.

i