Chapter 14 "I don't want to get left behind. Things change fast these days , and women have real opportunities. I'm not interested in being a kept woman in the Holcomb family," I said firmly, letting just a hint of vulnerability show in my eyes . Sally stared at me , her eyes wide. After a long pause, she said, "So you're not gonna give our Holcomb family a boy?" I knew I couldn't dodge the whole "having a son" talk. But since she'd brought it up, I figured I'd link work and pregnancy in my answer. "I can work and still try to get pregnant," I smiled. "It's been six years, and nothing's happened. Maybe being cooped up at home has been weighing me down. Getting a job might lift my mood, and who knows? Maybe that'll help things happen faster ." Sally's face soured. "I wanted you to relax at home, living the easy life as a rich man's wife. But you got all stir-crazy from boredom. Guess luxury just isn't your thing." "Since I'm not pregnant anyway, let me try working for a bit, huh? Just test the waters," I said, quickly moving over to rub her shoulders. I knew Sally was easy to sway. Show her some respect, and she'd ease up. And since all she really cared about was getting a grandson, she'd go along with anything that might help. She sipped her coffee, nodded, and said, "Fine. Talk to Jared about it. If he's on board, sure. But one thing-you two really need to hurry up. He'll be turning thirty next year." "Got it." I nodded along, but inside I was stone-cold calm. Having a son was never going to happen. Divorce was my next move. Sally had her social life and didn't really bother much with me. After a short chat, she got up and left. Not long after she left, my phone rang. It was Melissa, saying some college friends were having a reunion tonight and asking if I wanted to go. College reunions sounded sketchy and flirty, but the reality was way worse. They could actually break couples apart-one after another. Back in school, few cared about jobs or backgrounds. But once we started working, everything changed. Suddenly, everyone had a role, and the social gaps became crystal clear. It wasn't about having fun anymore-it was all about networking, showing off, and climbing the corporate ladder. Still, I nodded. "Why not? I'm bored out of my mind. I'll swing by." I'd turned down every reunion for years, but this time, I wanted to see what it was about. "Cool, I'll catch you later," Melissa said. She was always slammed with work. Even through the phone, I could hear a woman crying and guys shouting in the background. I went studying like usual. Around noon, Yvonne called. "Mom, where are you? Can you come pick me up? Daddy's office is so boring-I hate it here." She dragged the words out, whiny. Only then did I remember it was Saturday, and Jared had taken Yvonne to work with him. "I'm having lunch with my teacher. Can't leave," I replied, my voice flat. "I wanna eat with you," Yvonne said, switching to her cute, begging tone like she always did. "Please, come get me. " 1/2 Just then, Jared's voice came over the line. "I'm flying to Shaville for work this afternoon. You need to pick Yvonne up." I had to head to his office. When I pulled up, the father-daughter pair was already waiting in the lobby downstairs. Jared was in a black suit, looking sharp as ever. Yvonne was bouncing around him, all dolled up in a princess dress with a little backpack. The whole scene felt quite warm. I got out of my Mercedes-Benz, and the second Jared saw what I was wearing, his eyes narrowed.