Whenever I asked him for advice about work, he’d patiently walk me through everything.

I realized Edward knew way more than any of my professors–his advice was always so thorough and practical.

I was flying home tomorrow. Jared called, checking if I was really going through with it. I told him I was, and he gave me a fewst–minute reminders.

Ryan hadn’t reached out since thatst call.

Maybe he’d finally epted it, knowing there was no way back.

iThe /iday I was flying home, Edward drove me to the airport himself. ine was with us, shooting us these nosy, gossipy looks the whole way.

Edward got out and leaned against the car, looking at me. “You go on ahead. I’ll finish up things here ande back for you in a few days.”

“Okay!” I nodded and walked toward the check–in gate with ine.

Back home, Jared came to pick me up at the airport, bringing Yvonne along. ine, who was terrified of Jared, slipped away as soon as we stepped outside.

Jared came over to grab my suitcase, and Yvonne jumped into my arms. “Mom, you’re finally back! Are you going to leave me again?”

I froze for a second, then stroked her hair and chuckled softly. “Why would you ask that?”

Yvonne leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Daddy said you’re going to get married–to Nora’s dad. Is that really true?”

I stared at Jared in shock,pletely thrown off by what I’d just heard.

Jared looked totally baffled by my reaction. My intense stare made him ask, “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

I snapped, “Do you have to tell Yvonne every little thing?”

Jared put on an innocent face. “What did I even say?”

Yvonne immediately exined, “Mom, don’t me Daddy. I just overheard him talking to Grandma.”

Jared froze, frowning. “Yvonne, what exactly did you hear?”

“I heard you telling Grandma that Mom might get married. I cried for a long time that night,” Yvonne whispered.

Jared suddenly realized what had happened and looked at me helplessly. “So that’s why she skipped dinner

11:24 Sun, Sep b21 /b

and locked herself in her room that night.”

I nced at Yvonne–her head hung low, and she looked a bit down.

“Stop talking about my personal stuff around her,” I reminded Jared.

b69 /b

55 vouchers

Jared started wheeling the suitcase ahead. “It was only because my mom asked. I didn’t mean to talk about it.”

“She just wants you to hurry up and find someone you like to marry,” I said.

Jared gave a self–deprecating chuckle. “I’ve pretty much lost faith in marriage.”

My expression turned serious. “Why would you say that? Aren’t men the ones who alwayse out ahead in marriage?”

Jared shrugged, “Come out ahead? That’s debatable.”

I let the topic go. Whoever Jared ended up marrying was his own business.

Yvonne was unusually quiet and withdrawn during the ride. Now that she was getting older and picking up on more things, she was slowly starting to realize what her parents‘ divorce actually meant.

At noon, I took Yvonne out for lunch. Jared had nned to join us, but he got called away at thest minute for an important meeting at work.

After lunch, we went to the mall for a bit before heading home.

Yvonne obediently took her clothes and went to shower. After she finished, she came over andy down on my bed. “Mom, even though I really like Nora, I still don’t want you to marry her dad.”

I was staring at some files on myputer when I heard her. I turned to look at her.

Yvonne spoke in a soft, intive voice, “Mom, I’ll be really good from now on. Can you please not marry someone else so quickly?”

“Yvonne, your dad and I are already divorced. Whether I get married again or not–that’s my own choice nowi,/i” I told her seriously.

“I know, but if you really have to get married, could you marry Daddy instead? I know he’s always liked you a lot,” Yvonne asked, her eyes full of hope.

Get back together with Jared?