Housewife Gone Wild by Thanddeus Embereley novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

I looked back at Jared. It had been years since he’d cared about me. Honestly, I wanted to laugh. I knew he wasn’t worried about me–he was worried about how his wife would look.

“Got an issue?” I shot back, no more staying quiet.

Jared scowled, clearly pissed. But he didn’t argue–he’d tolerate anything until it threatened his precious bottom line.

“Nah. Just don’t stay out too late,” he replied, turning and heading upstairs.

Behind me, Mom was still fussing over Yvonne at the table, cooing “sweetie” while shoveling bites into her mouth.

I shook my head, feeling defeated. I wouldn’t stop anyone from taking care of Yvonne. But I couldn’t love her like a typical mom anymore.

I stepped outside, jingling my car keys. Jared had given me a silver Mercedes–Benz E–Class years ago, but the garage had better options. I usually drove the Bentley to pick up Yvonne from school, because it looked more impressive.

I fired up the engine, floored the gas, and drove into the dark night. I’d made plans with an old college friend, Melissa Jenkins, a lawyer who was single and had been hustling in the city for years.

Not long ago, she’d bought a new place and asked me over to warm it up. But that day, Yvonne had gotten deathly sick- throwing up, diarrhea, the whole mess. I’d stayed up all night with her.

When Jared rolled in, he’d tore into me for taking Yvonne to the mall playground, claiming that was where she had caught the virus.

To make up for missing Melissa’s housewarming, I’d asked Melissa out tonight.

She rushed over, briefcase in tow, her face registering total disbelief.

I held out a small blue box. “Missed your housewarming. This is my make–good.”

Melissa opened it and peeked inside—a gold bracelet gleamed back at her. “Oh my God, Victoria, you’re so awesome!” she squealed, quickly clasping the bracelet on her wrist.

After a moment, she added, “But this is way too much. I can’t accept this.” She started to yank it off, though her eyes betrayed how much she loved it.

I caught her hand. “If we’re still friends, keep it.”

Tears glistened in Melissa’s eyes as she pulled me into a tight hug. “Thank you, Victoria. I love it.”

After she pulled back, I pulled out two movie tickets. “Wanna go watch a movie with me?”

Melissa’s eyes widened, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “Whoa, sudden plans? Did your husband and kid finally give you a day pass?”

“I don’t need their permission. I run my own life now,” I said with a confident smile. In my previous life, I’d lived a suppressed and gutless existence–always looking busy, but achieving nothing. I never even made time for myself.

“For real?” Melissa stared at me, her face a mix of shock and excitement. “Well, I love seeing you like this. It’s just like the old

you.”

1 nodded. “Me too.”

1/3

As we walked into the theater, Melissa reached out and brushed a hand over my back. I turned to look at her.

She raised her hands, grinning. “Sorry. Your back looks amazing. I had to check it out. But seriously, when did you start dressing like this? You’re usually so buttoned up.”

I smiled, pressing my lips together. “Do I look good in this?”

Melissa leaned in, whispering in my ear. “Half the guys here are about to trip over themselves. Your back is so damn tempting.”

I almost laughed out loud. Some things never changed–Melissa was still the same jokester she was back in the day.

“Let them stare.” I dropped my voice too, rambling. “Heard some big shot say—if you’re pretty, you gotta go out and let people look. Otherwise, it’s such a waste.”

Melissa burst out laughing, drawing weird looks from everyone around us. She quickly covered her mouth, glaring at me. “It’s all your fault. Now I look like a total weirdo.”

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