Breaking Free from a Mama's Boy

burst into laughter. "You've worked hard for this.

g home. I knew I had to keep up this charade a little longer. The real

e, skipped makeup, and threw on a plain workout outf

knocking on J

g utterly bewildered. "

. "Ms. Buckley, it's me, Katy.

to you?" Karen aske

the skin, so I stopped wearing it. And since you said my clothes were

ou used to say you'd get up early to cook, so I wa

ghtened up. "Of cou

ls: what she planned to cook for Jul

p at Julian's house every mo

n days a week. I missed

s consulting Karen for her opinion before buying anything. If she

ke another move to g

r of attention, surrounded by admirers. I

k of admiration. "You're so handsome. It's only

g to his every whim, no matter how unreasonable. Even when he asked for things that we

y cooking skills improved dramatically, and I became so adept at

ian's utter dependence. He had become more attached

, preparing dinner. During the meal, Karen

" I asked, feigning concern. "Should

during my nap today. You two got married

d to suppress my laughter. Karen wasn

n together for a while. Maybe it's ti

hat his definition of "a while" was barely six m

re right. We're not getting an

n, though she hesitated b

entence confirme

eping my tone warm. "You can tell us

gs, based on some longstanding beliefs. This year marks the anniversary of a family loss, and next year isn't seen as an auspicious time either

he act

as the first time I'd

t all. They wanted me to be

efore I could respond, Julia

e for me. I think we could have a child now to strengthen our bond. L

at kind of nons

, silently cursing

ir housekeeper and child-bearer? And Julian-acknowledging everything I'd

g kids and managin

lowing my rage. It wasn't

cing a hesitant smile. "I know you mean well

h are between 23 and 25. You're already 23. If you wait, it'll only

living with Julian before marriage. Now she wanted me to

tnership, not... whatever this was. For the first time, I sa

bitter laugh. If they wanted to play

for a baby soon. I'll even quit my job to focus on preparing

Eat more, keep yourself healthy. You'll

my mind was already working overtime. My original revenge