<b>Chapter </b><b>416 </b>


    I nced up at him but didn’t stop him.


    But Yvonne stepped in, ying the role I usually took. “Dad, you’re drinking. Who’s gonna drive us hometer?”


    Jared just said, “Your mom will.”


    Ireassured Yvonne, “Hey, Yvonne, why don’t youe stay with me tonight?”


    Jared suddenly asked, “If Yvonne’sing over, are you gonna change the sheets?”


    His question made me blush a little, and I quickly replied, “I already changed them this morning.”


    Jared’s expression darkened even more, and Yvonne blinked, confused. “Mom, why do you have to change the sheets when Ie over?”


    We both fell silent.


    Dinner wasn’t exactly enjoyable–Jared being all emotional just killed the vibe.


    After dinner, I just took his car and drove Yvonne home. Jared said some friends wereing to pick him up–he was heading out for the night.


    When we got home, I started trimming Yvonne’s nails. As I worked, she watched me and said, “Mom, honestly, I still like it best when you take care of me.”


    I blinked, a little caught off guard. “Why’s that?”


    “Because when you’re here, I don’t have to lift a finger,” Yvonne replied, probably remembering those days when I was basically her personal maid. I used to do everything for her–even squeezed out her toothpaste, filled her water cup, and had to call her over and over just to get her to brush her teeth. And even then, she’d still be pouting with bedhead.


    “Mom’s got her own work to do now,” I said gently. I wasn’t about to repeat the same mistakes from my previous life–I wanted to walk my own path this


    time.


    “I know,” Yvonne said, clinging to my neck. “Mom, just focus on your work. I’ll grow up, I promise.” I asked her, “Has Tracy beening bytely?”


    I’m so wary of Tracy now, and it’s all because of Yvonne. In my previous life, Tracy had Yvonne under her wing for years, and itpletely changed her— she became selfish and had a terrible temper. Worst of all, she couldn’t even make the minimum score to graduate high school. Jared had no choice but to scramble and send her overseas, just hoping she’d have a shot at a future.


    Once Yvonne was abroad, she was like a bird finally let out of its cage–totally free. Tracy would fly out to see her whenever she had the time, but me, real mom? + only got to cook for her for two months before she kicked me out, all because Tracy could just hire her a five–star chef.


    Thinking about all that, Tracy is dead to me now. There’s no way I’ll ever let her have another chance to influence my child.


    her


    “She doesn’te by anymore–Dad doesn’t want to see her,” Yvonne piped up right away. “But she still keeps pestering Dad. She’s so annoying! I even told her that Dad’s in love with my mom, but she just says I’m too little to understand anything. She’s the one who doesn’t get it!”


    I kissed her forehead and whispered, “If your dad ever starts dating someone, make sure you test her out a bit–see what she’s really like. She has to treat you right. If she doesn’t, let your dad know<i>.</i><i>” </i>


    “But if Dad really likes her, will he believe me?” Yvonne asked, her eyes wide with uncertainty.


    “Never go into anything important unprepared If something matters to you, learn to hold onto proof. When you have evidence, the truth will alwayse out and people will show who they really are.” I was determined to teach Yvonne how to read people and handle the real world.


    “Mom, you’re so smart! I’ll remember that,” Yvonne said, cuddling up even closer to me, all smiles.


    Around <b>2 </b>a.m., my phone buzzed with a text.


    The message woke me up.


    Yvonne rolled over, rubbed her eyes in annoyance, and went straight back to sleep.


    Clutching my phone, I stepped out into the living room and saw the message was from Jared.


    He’d sent me a text: “Honey, I’m drunk. Can you keep me in line?”