bChapter /bb324 /b

    Jared flinched, his jaw tightening as he stared at me, disbelief and shock written all over his face.

    82%

    +23b) /b

    I said coldly, “If you can’t clear this mess up for me, if you can’t make sure I can work here in peace, I’ll quit. I know I can find something way better than

    this.”

    With that, I tore off my work badge and threw it down hard on the desk, grabbed my bag, and headed straight for the door. Jared desperately grabbed my arm, his voice rough with emotion. “It could’ve been my mom behind this.”

    I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to look at him. Jared let out a heavy, defeated sigh. “I’ll go talk to her. If it was her, I’ll make sure she apologizes to you.”

    I stared straight into Jared’s eyes and let out a mockingugh. “So you’ve known the truth all along, Mr. Hob. But you still stood by and let her drag my name through the mud. Jared, you let this happen; you allowed it…”

    In that instant, tears streamed down my face, as if all the years of bottled–up grievances had burst out. I broke downpletely.

    I didn’t think I’d ever lost control like this before. Even after all those years married to Jared, whenever I cried, I always did it quietly, never letting anyone see. Jared looked lost, not knowing what to say or do.

    “Jared, why are you still making me suffer even after we’re divorced??” Tears streamed down my face as I mmed my fists against his chest in

    frustration.

    Jared fumbled, panicking a little. He grabbed my hands, and when I broke down sobbing, he wrapped his arms around me.

    But I shoved him away even harder, shouting, “Is it because I’m weak? Is that why your whole family thinks they can keep pushing me around?

    “Jared, if you can’t get your family under control, you’ll be getting divorced over and over again for the rest of your life.”

    With that, I grabbed my bag and stormed out. Jared didn’te after me. I kept swiping at my tears as I walked away, and with every step, the ache in my chest eased just a little.

    By the time I finished yoga, it was already past eight. Nathan had sent me a selfie from the airport at seven, saying he was heading to Aurelia for work and wouldn’t be back for three or four days.

    He asked if bI /bwanted him to bring me anything, and mentioned his golden retriever. If I had time, I could walk it, and his maid would join me. I just texted back: (Okay.)

    By the time I got home, it was after nine. That was when Yvonne called me, her voice choked with sobs. “Mom, you need to get out of there. Dad and Grandma were having ba /bhuge fight downstairs, and it was so loud ”

    She cried, “Grandma said she’sing to you, and she’s gonna rip your mouth apart. Mom, you need to get out, quick! Grandma was so mad. It was werdying”

    I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Jared was actually arguing with Sally? bBecause /bof what I said? “Yvonne, you’re worried about me nove?” + condu help but feel warmth bin /bmy chest, at least she was putting some thought into me

    “Of coursei, /iTre scared Grandma might kill you, and then I won’t have a mom anymore” Yvonne was just a kisk, when adults said harsh things, the to them to bheart /band got scared

    I said quietly, “Don’t worry I’m tougher than you think she’s hot gonna take me out that easily

    “Mom, you have to be careful, okay? Maybe you stund get a cop to watch over you that way your i bafe Young was will super worried about the

    Iughed. “It’s fine She’s just off talk Thaven’t dens anything wrsing as dit dare show her bass aroundá (836)

    Yvonne suddenly paped up. “Mum, stay in the line I’ll let you hear whel Gran and Dad are saying