<b>Chapter </b>39
I nced at him with a faint smile. “I’m just trying to help her build some character. You know how she yells <b>at </b>me and <b>has </b>no respect for me anymore. If I let <b>her </b>get away with everything, we’ll end up hating each other.”
<b>“</b><b>It’s </b>not that serious. She’s <b>just </b>a kid. No kid really holds a grudge against their mom,” Jared said, clearly thinking I was being too harsh.
<b>“</b><b>Yes</b>, they do,” I said firmly. “If her <b>values </b>get twisted, she’ll hate me. And honestly, I might end up hating her, too.”
Jared thought I <b>was </b>being unreasonable, so he went back to his study without saying another word.
My thoughts were a mess. I leaned back in my chair and shut my eyes tightly.
In my previous <b>life</b>, the older Yvonne got, the less <b>respect </b>she had for me. When she hit thirteen, her rebellious <b>streak </b>nearly broke me.
She threatened to go on a hunger strike, and she even said she wanted to end her own life, so I had to watch <b>her </b>constantly.
During that time, I <b>was </b><b>so </b>worn out that I looked like I had aged ten years overnight with dark circles under my eyes.
It was not going to happen to me again. I still had to teach her, but I’d do it with a firm hand to make sure that she had the right values and learned to control her emotions.
I wasn’t about to go through another round of her rebellious phases ever again.
The next day, I was back at work, focusing on design. Time flew by, and before I knew it, it was dark outside when my phone rang. A deep voice came through. “Victoria, it’s Nathan.”
He just called me Victoria so casually with no respect at all. I was his benefactor. He should at least call me Mrs. Hob.
“How old are you this year, Mr. Hallman?” I asked with a smile.
“Twenty–seven,” he replied.
“Oh, I thought you were younger than me,” I said. It felt good to talk with him a little after a long day.
“Do I look that young?” Nathan asked, sounding pleased.
<b>“</b>Sure<b>, </b>young man,” I said honestly.
He let out a low chuckle on the other end. “So, any ns for tonight?”
<b>“</b>Just going home to take care of my husband,” I answered. I wasn’t trying to flirt with Nathan, so I had no problem bringing <b>up </b>my husband to set some boundaries.
The <bst </b>time Nathan said he was interested in me, things got a little too risky. I couldn’t let him cross that line again.
“Oh,” Nathan said, his excitement gone, like I’d dumped ice water on him.
“If that’s all, I’m going to hang up now. I’m a bit busy,” I said with a smile.
<b>“</b>Alright, bye,” Nathan replied, waiting for me to end the <b>call</b>.
<b>1/2 </b>
Then I <b>hung </b><b>up </b>without hesitation.
<b>By </b>the time night fell<b>, </b>Jared showed up <b>at </b>the door of the design studio.
At that moment, <b>I </b>was in the middle of a design discussion<b>, </b>with the projector showing a series of images on the screen.
Someone recognized <b>him </b>and stepped forward to greet him. <b>“</b>Hi, Mr. Hob.
“I’m here to pick up my <b>wife </b>for dinner,<b>” </b>Jared said calmly.
I turned to look at him, realizing it <b>was </b>time to wrap <b>up</b><b>. </b>I walked over and asked, “How did you find me here<b>?</b>*
“Let’s go. We’re meeting someone for dinner,” Jared said, his expression cold as he turned and walked out.
I quickly packed up and followed him<b>, </b>asking, “So, who are we having dinner with tonight?”
Jared didn’t answer. He just <b>sat </b>quietly in the back <b>seat</b>, his face unreadable.
I had no idea what he <b>was </b>mad about this time. He was acting <b>all </b>gloomy and passive–aggressive.
When we got to the hotel, Jared led me to the third floor, where the business dining rooms were. He opened the door to a private room.
Inside, there were a dozen or so people. But when I saw Nathan sitting at the head of the table, my eyes widened in surprise.
<b>AD </b>