<b>Chapter </b><b>194 </b>
Hooked into Jared’s eyes. He hesitated for a split second, almost inching, before finally meeting my gave. Those ayes, always do petania and my memory, few seemed shadowed by a touch of mncholy
“Why?“Lasked, my old shyness nowhere to be found. Everything I’d been throughtely had pretty much apertout any sense of embarreement.
Jared locked surprised that I’d pressed him. He frore for a second, and then replied, “When you’re not home, the ce just feels so empty
“Oh, so you got used to having me around, he? Now you can’t live without it raised an eyebrow, grind
“No, that’s not it” red shook his head, but couldn’t really put it into words. He let out a low sigh and said, “Come home for dinner tonight. Yvonne
wants <b>to </b>see you.”
“Let’s not do that,” I said, staring down at the floor, my tone t. “We’re going to be loving separateves soon anyway. She has you and the Hob family to look after her. I’m not worried”
“Victoria, how can you be so heartless?” Jared snapped, his temper ring. He just couldn’t take it when it came to Yvonne
I locked at him coolly. “<b>I’ve </b>been even tougher on myself, and I still made it through, didn’t I The world doesn’t stop for anyone. Yvonne will grow <b>up</b>. She doesn’t really need me. To her, I’m just a high–end nanny. What’s the point?”
“That’s not true. You’re her mother, <b>Jared </b>argued<b>, </b>almost desperate.
“Yeah, I’m her mother. If she ever needs my help in the future, I’ll be there.” With that, I pushed open the <b>door </b>and left, leaving Jared standing there, his face stiff and <b>unreadable</b>.
Back in my office, a pang of sadness hit me. Sometimes I’d think, if never had a child, no one would ever have the power to hurt me. But now Yvonne was in my life, and there was no undoing it
<b>As </b>parents, we tried every trick to smooth things out for our kids, even trying to map out their entire future. But we forgot that once they were born, they were free. Hovering too much <b>wasn’t </b>always for the best.
When it came to Yvonne, I’d decided to let go. No matter what kind of person she grew up to be, I wouldn’t interfere
As night fell, my parents showed up in Hachester and called me back to the vi. When I walked in, Jared was sitting on the couch with Yvonne in his arms. My parents were chatting with Sally, and Quinn was there too
She looked at me like I was some kind <b>of </b>ungrateful brat and gave me <b>the </b>biggest eye roll ever.
I stood by the <b>door</b>, feeling like a criminal on trial. A chill ran down my spine. But I quickly pulled myself together and went over to greet everyone.
My mom shot me a silent look of judgment. My dad let out a heavy sigh. Sally’s face was anything but friendly.
Jared kept his eyes down, lost in his own thoughts
Quinn liked running her mouth. When everyone else stayed quiet, she jumped right <b>in</b>.
*Victoria, what’s up with you? <b>You </b>vanished for so long and <b>finally </b>decided to show your face. Since when are you busier than Jared? It’s almost impossible to see you these <b>days</b>,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm,
My expression darkened.
Jared looked over at Quinn and said, “Don’t stir things up.”
Quinn crossed her arms and hutted, “If <b>you </b>two really <b>get </b>divorced, there’ll be tons of women dying to marry into the Hob family, You better think it through