bChapter /b66

‘Bro, bhave /bbmercy/b.” bI /bbrefused /band just shouted some random nonsense.

b“/bbSay /bbsweet /bthings right nowb!/bb” /bJared yelled. I bit my lip tightly and refused.

bHe /bseemed like he wanted to punish me, but after three tries, he looked drained. He gave up and held me tightly, like he wanted to melt me into himself.

Even though he’d let go, he still looked upset. His chest felt tight, so he kissed me again, hard and frustrated.

I didn’t fight back. I let him have his way until he finally released me, his eyes bloodshot. “bIf /bsomething’s bothering you, just tell me now,” Jared said, gripping my arm. His voice was full of anger.

At that moment, neither of us was dressed. There was no way we could have a real conversation. I quickly pulled the nket over me. Jared grabbed his pajama top and buttoned it up while staring at me.

“What’s got you so upset? You look like you lost your soul. Are you that hurt?” he asked.

Watching Jared lose it like that, I figured it was because I hadn’t been paying enough attention. I hadn’t been revolving around him like before. His pride and role as head of the family felt challenged.

“Honey, what are you even talking about? I don’t get it.” The more he pressed for answers, the vaguer I got.

Jared hated that kind of response. He clenched his jaw and sneered, “Don’t tell me you think I’m cheating… with Tracy? Just ‘cause I took her on the trip, you’re jealous? Should I fire her? Would that make you happy?”

I froze. Jared was thinking about firing Tracy for me. But in his previous life, he said she was his trusted assistant, someone who fought alongside him.

I didn’t think he would let her go. Besides, Tracy wasn’t my enemy right now. ? still needed her help to get a divorce.

“Honey, I swear I’m not jealous of Tracy.” I held up a finger. “Tracy’s super capable. If you fire her, won’t thepany lose a key yer?”

“Then why do you look like that?” Jared was still mad.

bI /bblinked innocently. “Look like what?”

“You… the way you’re acting… it’s like you don’t love me anymore.” Jared was so angry, he couldn’t even get the words out right.

I paused a second, and then chuckled softly. “Honey, we’ve been married for years. There’s no passion left. I’ve always seen you as family. Besides, didn’t you say there’s no spark after all these years? I just want to live peacefully now.”

I threw his own words back at him. His face turned red with frustration. Jared stormed out of the bedroom, mad as hell. Iy bback /bon the bed. My mood, which had been pretty good, just got even better.

I didn’t bcare /bwhat Jared was mad about or what was bothering him. I only cared about my peace. The next morning, I helped Yvonne get dressed. She was still sleepy, eyes shut tight as I put on her clothesb. /b

When she was ready, she stretched out her armsb. /b“Mommy, carry me downstairs.”

I carried her down and set her in her chair. I ced breakfast in front of her. “Eat up.”

“Where’s Daddy?” Yvonne looked toward the stairs. “Daddy usually wakes up early and goes jogging. Why hasn’t hee

bdown /btodayb?/bb” /b

b“/bDon’t bworry /babout him. bJust /bbeat/b. After that, bI’ll /btake you bto /bschool,” bI /bbsaid /bsoftly. But Yvonne jumped out of her bchair /band ran bupstairs/bb. /b

bWatching /bher bgo/b, I felt mixed emotions. Thest time I was bsick /bwith ba /bcold, Yvonne didn’t beven /bbask /bhow I was. But now, just bbecause /bJared skipped breakfastb, /bshe was worried.

A few minutes bter/bb, /bYvonne came back down and sat at the tableb. /bShe started eating and said, “Daddy said he didn’t bsleep /bwellst night, so he’s resting some more.”

“Mm, let him sleep,” bI /bsaid, already knowing why.

Yvonne frowned and added, “Daddy must bbe /btired from his trip. Mommy, I’ve been thinking. You should go bback /bto work. Daddy’s probably too tired earning money all by himself.”

bI /bwas stunned. Yvonne was making this decision not because she respected me, but because she felt sorry for her dad working so hard alone.

“And also, Mommy, stop buying so many clothes and handbags. Your closet is full. You need to learn to save money,” Yvonne said, sounding way more grown–up than her age.

bAD /b