<b>Chapter </b><b>513 </b>


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    I’ve been to Braylin plenty of times, but always as a tourist. In my previous life, I took Yvonne to Universal Studios a few times, and sometimes joined the richdies for art exhibitions.


    It’s not exactly a strange ce to me, but it never really felt like home either.


    I used to think I’d spend my whole life in Hachester, but now I’m about to settle down in Braylin for


    good.


    Yvonne had school in the morning, so she got up early, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and then came over asking me to do her hair.


    Last time, I cut off her waist–length hair in a fit of anger, and now, with her hair loose, she looked even


    more adorable for her age.


    “Mom, don’t worry about going to work in Braylin. I’ll keep an eye on Dad,” Yvonne suddenly piped up as I was braiding her hair.


    I paused and asked, “Why do you need to keep an eye on your dad?”


    “Because I don’t want any otherdying in and pushing us around,” Yvonne said with a bossy


    look. “I don’t want Dad to marry someone new.”


    I kept my expression calm and replied, “You’re just a kid. You can’t decide these things. Your grandma is really worried.”


    “That’s exactly why! She keeps telling me every day that Dad should marry someone new and have a little brother for me to y with. Does she think I’m dumb? I don’t want a little brother,” Yvonne said, crossing her arms, looking all grown–up and stubborn.


    I looked at her and shook my head. Kids these days know way more than we did, with all these electronics everywhere.


    When I was her age, I didn’t know anything about this stuff. All I wanted was to get home and grab


    something tasty.


    “You should talk to your dad and grandma about this. I’m not getting involved,” I said. The Hob family’s business had nothing to do with me anymore.


    Yvonne scrunched up her little brows <b>and </b><b>said</b>, “Mom, I’m just thinking about what’s best for you. When I grow up and take over Dad’spany, I’ll spend all the money I make on you.”


    I was a bit surprised. ‘Is she actually being sweet to me?‘ I thought.


    11:34 Thu, 4 Sept O


    “No need for that. Mom can earn her own money,” I said with a soft chuckle, shaking my head.


    Jared showed up early that morning. Lately, he’d clearly been paying more attention to his appearance–his style now really suited him, and he carried himself with a quiet confidence that onlyes with age.


    He walked in carrying breakfast, and Yvonne turned her nose up at him and let out a little huff.


    “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Jared came over to coax her.


    “You let Grandma yell at Mom yesterday. I don’t want to talk <i>to </i>you,” Yvonne said, her small voice firm. Not bad for someone so little.


    Jared pressed his lips together in a smile and replied softly, “Got it. I won’t let them argue again.”


    “Mom wasn’t arguing. Grandma was the one yelling at her,” Yvonne said, taking my side.


    Jared nced over, a mysterious little smile flickering in his eyes. “Guess she’s siding with you now<i>.</i>”


    Just hearing that ticked me off.


    “Seriously, youe here first thing in the morning just to get yelled at?” I red at him.


    Jared just shrugged and grinned. “Alright, forget the past. Let’s just deal with today.”


    Yvonne looked back and forth between us with her big, dark eyes. “Dad, none of what you’re saying makes any sense <i>to </i>me.”


    Jared had always spoiled Yvonne in his previous life, and now that he’s back, older and wiser, he’s even softer on her.


    “Dad’s just talking with Mom. You’re still a kid, it’s normal you don’t get it,” he said gently.


    I checked the time. “Come on, let’s get you to school.”


    Jared and I piled into the car with Yvonne and took her to school. She’d been extra livelytely– probably because she was getting spoiled from every direction.


    Jared walked her right up to the school gate, couldn’t help fussing over her with a few more reminders before he finally let her go.


    Yvonne, finding him way too clingy, shooed him off with her tiny hand.


    Jared got back in the car, took the keys from the driver, and let him go. The driver grabbed a cab and headed off.


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    11:34 Thu, 4 Sept.


    “Victoria, can you sit up front with me?” Jared asked softly.


    “Nah, the backseat’s way roomier,” I said, turning him down.


    Jared just gave a little helpless smile and turned on the music.


    MON


    A nostalgic tune filled the car.


    11


    “Wandering through the messy world, whose sighs linger by my ear–so powerless, yet never regretting a thing…”


    As I listened to the song, my thoughts drifted far away with the melody.


    Jared stayed quiet, focused on driving.


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