Chapter <b>80 </b>
After dinner<b>, </b><b>I </b><b>stayed </b>in the temporary <b>office </b>at the Harmonia Hotel. Around four in the afternoon, Jared asked if I had sobered up and if I could go to the parent–teacher meeting that evening.
I thought Yvonne wanted Tracy to go instead of me, <b>so </b>I said I was busy and had a headache. Jared knew I had messed up drinking that morning. <b>He </b>said, “I was busy<b>, </b>too. If you can’t go, I’ll have my mom go.”
“Do whatever,” <b>I </b>said coldly. When I got home after nine, I found Yvonne sitting on the couch<b>, </b>angrily tearing a book apart.
When I walked in, she clenched her little fists and stormed at me. “You don’t want me to be friends with <b>Tracy</b>, right? Why are you so mean? Why did you make Grandma go to the meeting? Tracy and I had already agreed!”
My daughter looked at me like I was an enemy. I didn’t expect a parent meeting to make her that upset. I quietly said, “I didn’t stop Tracy from going. It was your dad’s call, not mine.”
“It was you. I know it. Dad wouldn’t stop me from liking her. Only you keep stopping me,” Yvonne med me for everything.
I looked down at her like a queen, my eyes cold and emotionless. “Yvonne, you really like Tracy, don’t you?” I asked.
Maybe because my tone changed, Yvonne blinked hard and said nothing. I crouched down and fixed her messy hair. I gave a fake smile without feeling.
“If you like something, then go after it. I’m your mom. I want you to be happy. I won’t control you anymore. I won’t stop you from making friends. Yvonne, do you like me as your mom?” I asked.
Yvonne froze for a second, and then nodded, “If you mean that, I’ll still like you.”
“Good. From now on, see whoever you want. I won’t stop you.” I lightly patted her shoulder and stood up, heading to the kitchen. Wendy was making some food to boost my energy. She brought a bowl over. “Mrs. Hob, it’s still warm.”
“Thanks,” I said politely and sat down to eat slowly.
Yvonne had nned a big tantrum, but I calmed her quickly with a few words. She probably had no fight left and ran upstairs.
I had just finished eating when I heard Jared’s car engine shut off. I stood up to go upstairs. Halfway up the stairs, Jared came in. I ignored him, didn’t say hi, and went straight to my bedroom.
Jared went upstairs to the kids‘ room. They talked for over half an hour. When he came out, Jared strode to my door, his face angry. “Victoria, how do you talk to our daughter?”
I was holding my pajamas, ready to shower. Seeing Jared suddenly mad, I said calmly, “What did I do?”
“Why did you talk to Yvonne about Tracy? What are you trying to do?” Jared asked sharply.
I couldn’t help butugh. “I was just having a normal talk with my daughter. No bad influence. What’s wrong with that?”
“The rumors about me and Tracy at work never stop. Now you talk to Yvonne about her. Are you trying to make our daughter think our marriage is falling apart because of Tracy?” Jared said coldly, staring at me.
“Doesn’t she share some me, too?” I crossed my arms and smirked in reply.