I stared at the words on the screen, feeling like I was looking at memories from another life, covered in dust.


    Jared must be seriously drunk if he even forgot we’re divorced. He actually called me his wife. Was his ount hacked, or did he just message the wrong person?‘ I thought.


    He actually called me his wife. I started to wonder if his ount had been hacked, or maybe he just messaged the wrong person, I thought.


    I quickly replied, “I’m not your wife. You messaged the wrong person.”


    After a moment, he replied, “You are, Victoria. You’re my wife.”


    I quickly typed, “Jared, quit acting drunk. Grown–ups should know how to control themselves.”


    Jared didn’t reply for a long time–maybe my scolding snapped him out of it.


    *The next morning!*


    Yvonne didn’t have school, and she wanted me to take her to the library to buy books.


    ‘I knew she was just clinging to me because she didn’t want to be apart, I thought. ‘She’s only in first grade and hasn’t even learned all the words yet–how could she really be interested in reading?”


    So, I took her to the library, then we went shopping, and finally, we grabbed lunch together.


    In the afternoon, Quinn called me, asking where we were. She said Sally had sent her to pick Yvonne up.


    Sally didn’t seem too keen on me spending too much time with Yvonne, probably worried I’d try to take her away.


    I told Quinn toe to the Hob residence. After a long day out, we were both exhausted.


    Yvonne was sprawled out on the couch<b>, </b>clinging to my arm. “Mom, I don’t want to go back to Grandma’s ce. I just want to be with you. Can you tell Aunt Quinn not toe over?”


    I spoke softly, “Grandma worries about you too. Just go back for now, okay? If I have time tomorrow, I’lle see you.


    Yvonne suddenly looked up at me. “Mom, are you still afraid of Grandma?”


    I stiffened for a moment.


    Yvonne tried tofort me, “You used to be scared of her, but now that you and Dad are divorced, you don’t have to be scared anymore.”


    I felt a pang of bitterness. Back when I was married into the Hob family, my humble background <b>always </b><b>made </b><b>me </b>tread carefully, constantly trying to live up to the expectations of a proper daughter–inw<b>, </b>


    Thankfully, Sally never gave ine a hard time, but she’d always find subtle <b>ways </b>to remind me of the <b>house </b>rules.


    Things like not staying outte, dressing modestly, or not being materialistic–shed <b>always </b>use stories about echter op a gentle warning to me.


    “I’m not afraid of her.” I said, gently correcting Yvonne. <b>I </b>just respect her as someone chieri’s important to have our


    elders.”


    55 vouchers


    Yvonne let out a little “Oh, I get it now.”


    I nodded. “Respecting elders is just how we were raised, but if an elder ever crosses the line, you don’t have to just take it- stand your ground and have your own voice.”


    Yvonne nodded, looking like she kind of got it, but maybe notpletely.


    The doorbell rang, and I knew it had to be Quinn. I nudged Yvonne. “Go get the door.”


    Yvonne stuck out her lower lip, shuffling over in her slippers. As soon as she opened the door, her face lit up and she shouted, “Ryan!”


    I was still cleaning up the mess Yvonne had made on the table, but when I heard her yell, I nced up


    There was Ryan, standing outside in all ck, with a white baseball cap and a mask covering most of his face.


    Even bundled up like that, Yvonne recognized him in an instant.


    Ryan pulled off his mask and gently tapped Yvonne on the forehead. “Sorry, I had no idea you were here. I forgot to bring you a present.”


    “Mom, a cute guy’s here for you,” Yvonne said, grinning from ear to ear.


    I shot her a helpless look, then walked over to Ryan. “What brings you here?”


    Ryan met my gaze with a mncholy look. “Just passing through.”


    I didn’t buy it for a second. There was definitely a reason he came all the way to Hachester.


    “Come on in and have a seat. I’ll make you some coffee,” I offered.


    Ryan stepped inside and sat down on the couch. Yvonne was sitting nearby, grinning as she looked <b>him </b>over. Then, out of nowhere, she blurted out, “Ryan, do you like my mom?”


    Ryan’s face turned bright red, and he looked totally flustered.


    <b>2/2 </b>