I knew the difference between being handed a fish and being taught to fish. The reality was, a housewife relying solely on her own skills might survive, but she’d never thrive. Not without connections.


    I was well aware of Jared’s capabilities. His education, his experience, his vastwork. Riding his coattails could set me up for life in just a few years.


    Sure, divorce would get me a payout. But there was a world of difference between taking a settlement and earning it yourself, I was still young. Was I really going to just coast on alimony?


    No. I remembered all too well the suffocating emptiness of idle days. A week was tolerable. A year, unbearable. But decades? Unthinkable.


    Humans are social creatures. We need purpose. Validation. I wouldn’t–couldn’t just fade into obscurity


    “If that dayes,” I said, meeting Jared’s eyes with a calcted smile, “you can name your price. For the first time, I was negotiating with him. Not as his wife, but as an equal.


    Jared clearly didn’t like my tone. His face went rigid, voice tight. “Fine. But promise me you won’t neglect Wonne because of whatever’s going on with us.”


    “You’re misunderstanding me,” I said evenly. “I’m not neglecting her. I just-” The cruel truth lodged in my throat.


    Really, though, if I were truly strong, would I even need to say it out loud? The fact that I hesitated proved I still had weaknesses to shed


    “Just what?” Jared pressed, a father’s protective instinct ring. “What has Yvonne done to disappoint you?”


    4 looked down. How could I exin that in my previous life, our daughter had betrayed me in ways that still cut deep? He’d think I was


    unhinged. Paranoid. No. I had to handle this like a rational adult and sever the ties cleanly.


    “It’s not her. I’ve just realized I’m failing as a parent. Maybe I’ve… run out of love to give.” The sigh escaped before i could stop it.


    “That’s not what you said when she was born. You swore you’d love her unconditionally, no matter what.” His stare bore into me, disappointment thick in his voice.


    “People change, Jared. She clearly prefers you anyway. Take over her upbringing. Studies show CEO fathers raise more resilient kids. Mothers coddle. Surely you want her to be a fighter?” The corporate jargon rolled off my tongue effortlessly. Psychological warfare, executive edition,


    Jared studied me like a chess opponent before nodding. “I’ll make time. But you don’t get to check outpletely. Unless… you’re done with her.”


    My breath hitched. Exactly what I want–if only I could make the cut clean.


    When I stayed silent, his jaw twitched. “What about me? Are you done with me, too?” He turned on his heel and strode away.


    I watched his retreating back until Tracy materialized with her entourage of VPs. Their group merged seamlessly, a corpor nced back. No words, just a smirk that screamed checkmate.


    Leaning forward in the lounge chair, I rested my chin on steepled fingers and coldly observed their exit.


    Midway to the airport, Nathan’s text lit up my screen: [Where are you?]


    [Headed to the airport. Going back to Hachester.]


    *pack. Tracy


    [Jared’s still in Showtown. Why solo flight?)


    I didn’t exin, just replied: [Business.]


    Three dots bounced before his next message: [Dinner tonight?]