Chapter 761

It took me three days to finish handing over my responsibilities to Jared. I thought I’d finally have more time to spend with Edward, but then he got a call.

“Victoria, Nora’s in the hospital. I’m flying to Aurelia–do you want to come with me?” Edward looked anxious, his voice tinged with urgency.

Nothing hurts a parent more than seeing their child sick.

“Sure, I’ll go with you,” I replied. I’m free now, so I can go with him wherever he needs.

“Should I let Yvonne know? We might be gone for a few days,” Edward asked softly.

“Yeah, when are we heading out? I’ll go see her for a bit,” I replied.

“No later than two hours from now,” Edward said.

I hurried over to Sally’s. It was Saturday, and Yvonne had piano lessons in the morning and came home for lunch.

When I appeared in front of Yvonne, her face lit up with delight. “Mom, did you come to take me out to play?”

Sally’s attitude toward me was much more polite than before.

“Yvonne doesn’t have any classes this afternoon. Why don’t you take her out for a while?” Sally suggested.

I shook my head. “I’ve got something to take care of this afternoon, so I can’t take her out.”

“But Mom, you don’t have work anymore–what do you have to do?” Yvonne’s clever eyes lit up with curiosity.

“I’m heading to Aurelia for a while,” I replied truthfully.

Sally’s face shifted, disbelief written all over her. “Victoria, Jared told me you’re planning to get married. Is that true?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I’ve started seeing someone, and I’m dating with marriage in mind.”

Sally looked genuinely rattled. She’d always thought I was reaching above my league with Jared, so after our divorce, she was just waiting to see me crash and burn.

But I didn’t give her that satisfaction, and it was obvious she wasn’t happy about it.

“Wow, you found someone new already?” Sally said, her voice thick with sarcasm. “Guess being pretty really does make you popular. It’s been over a year since the divorce–Jared hasn’t dated anyone, but you always seem to have a new guy every now and then.”

I caught the mockery in her words, and I couldn’t help but feel pissed off.

Back when I was still Jared’s wife, she took Yvonne all the way abroad to see Tracy, even waited on Tracy hand and foot during her postpartum confinement, saying that once she recovered, she could keep having more kids.

Even if she’s forgotten all that, I never will.

But with Yvonne right there, I didn’t want to bring up old grievances and stir up trouble. It would only upset her.

“Mrs. Holcomb, everyone has the right to pursue happiness, don’t they? I’m not seeing multiple people at once, and I never played with your son’s feelings. Is it really so hard for you to accept that someone else can find happiness too?” I replied, polite but firm.

Sally’s face darkened at once. “If you’re getting remarried, then Yvonne is no longer your concern. She’s a Holcomb.”

I was taken aback, glancing at Yvonne.

Yvonne burst into tears and clung to my arm. “Grandma, please don’t fight with my mom. She’s my mom, no matter what–even if she and Dad are divorced, she’s still my mom.”

Sally retorted angrily, “If she was really a good mother, she wouldn’t have divorced so easily. Wasn’t your dad good enough to her?”

“Mrs. Holcomb, have you really forgotten about Tracy?” I reminded her pointedly.

Sally choked on her words and fell silent.

Yvonne immediately let go of my arm and said, “Mom, if you need to go, it’s okay. I’ll comfort Grandma in a bit–she won’t stay mad at you.”

Seeing how mature Yvonne had become, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

“Alright, I’ll call you later,” I said, turning to leave.