Chapter 737

Sally popped out as soon as she heard me arrive. “Victoria, are you here to pick up Yvonne?”

I took a breath and nodded. “Yeah, tomorrow’s Saturday, no school for her. I figured I’d take her out to have some fun.”

Yvonne instantly broke into a big grin. “Really? Mom, where are we going?”

“Where do you want to go?” I asked in a gentle voice.

“Disneyland!” Yvonne blurted out, not missing a beat.

In Shaville, huh?

Honestly, that was not a bad idea. But if I really was just a way for Edward to test his power, would I really dare to keep this up with him?

Of course, maybe it was just my own mind playing tricks on me. Edward’s mother was actually a wonderful person. She asked me to accompany her to the temple today to offer incense, and I could sense that she seemed to tacitly approve of me and Edward being together.

Maybe it wouldn’t be long before she asked if Edward and I were thinking about marriage.

I’d lost all faith in marriage. Thirty years trapped in a gilded cage in my previous life was more than enough for me.

I absolutely couldn’t let myself get trapped again, not even if the guy I was supposed to marry is even more amazing, even more perfect for me than Jared.

Sally asked if I wanted to come in and sit for a while, but I told her I was taking Yvonne out to eat and didn’t go in.

Yvonne kept talking a mile a minute next to me, and I did my best to keep my spirits up as I took her out for dinner.

After that last blow-up with Jared, he started dodging me again. Didn’t even show up for the company meeting. Guess he’s even more fed up with me now.

But seriously, why should I let him call the shots in my life? We’re two separate people. Work is the only thing tying us together.

It was already past nine when I brought Yvonne home. She grabbed my phone and started a video call with Jared.

“Dad, Mom’s taking me to Shaville tomorrow. Wanna come with us?”

Jared’s voice came through. “Why are you going to Shaville?”

“Going to Disneyland!” Yvonne replied.

“Just you and your mom?” Jared sounded a bit surprised.

“Yeah, I think so,” Yvonne said, then called out to me, “Mom, is it just us?”

“Just the two of us,” I replied.

Yvonne immediately turned back to Jared. “Mom says it’s just the two of us going. Dad, do you wanna come?”

“Ask your mom. If she says yes, I’ll be your driver,” Jared replied, and I heard every word.

Yvonne ran over to me. “Mom, can Dad come with us? It’s been ages since the three of us did something together.”

I thought it over and said yes. “Go ask him if he wants to come along, I don’t mind.”

Yvonne’s eyes sparkled as she pressed the phone to her ear, beaming. “Dad, Dad! Mom said you can come! Make sure you look super cool tomorrow, okay? I’m hanging up now! Love you, bye!”

I watched Yvonne light up with happiness, like she’d just received the sweetest present, all just because I agreed to let Jared join us.

Leaning against the bedroom door, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.

Suddenly, my phone rang. Yvonne immediately shouted, “Mom, who’s the Fox? He’s calling you!”

I walked over and picked up the phone. “Just a friend. Go watch TV in the living room.”

As I spoke, I turned and walked into the bedroom, gently closing the door behind me.

Stepping out onto the balcony, I finally answered the call.

Edward’s voice was hoarse as it came over the line. “Victoria, why won’t you even give me a chance to explain?”

“Can you be honest with me for once?” I asked, my tone calm now.

“Everything I’ve said is the truth,” Edward replied, his voice sounding genuinely hurt.