Broken Vows (Domestic Discipline Romance) by Mariella Starr Page A

hurry."
    She made sure Emmie was out of hearing before she turned on her mother. "How dare you come into my home and tell me I ought to get a divorce in front of my child!"
    "Because you should," Denise exclaimed. "He is dragging you down, Jenny. You are a beautiful girl who you can do so much better. I could introduce you to dozens of men at the country club, men from good families who have made something of themselves. Men, who can support you, give you a real comfortable life. You would be able to afford a nanny, and could do so much more with your life. You are wasting your best years on that man. He was a foster child before he was adopted into that horrible family. He is a nobody. He has chained you to this house!"
    " You chained us to this house!" Jenny snapped. "I was the fool who allowed you to talk me into it!"
    "I don't mean this house, literally," Denise exclaimed. "You deserve this house. I am talking about how he has you acting like a servant, cooking, cleaning, and never getting a break from these children! He has turned you into a maid and a nanny!"
    "I am a wife and a mother. It is my choice to stay home with the children during their early years," Jenny exclaimed. "Good God, Mom! Emmie and Adam are your grandchildren!"
    "A woman should not become a drudge to her children and husband, Jennifer. You need to find a man who makes a decent living or has family money, someone who can afford to take care of you!"
    Jenny shook her head. "Don't you mean someone who will pay your bills and keep you pampered? You have money, Mom, far more than we do. If you want more money, go marry it yourself. Go home! Go away and live your life as you wish, and let me live mine. I love my husband! I love my children, and I love being able to be with them every day of their lives. I do not want your life. I do not want my kids raised by a nanny or a housekeeper. Mila and I certainly saw more of them than we did of either you or Dad. I'll tell you something else, Mom. Those nannies and housekeepers cared more about us than you or Dad ever did!
    "I am not divorcing Josh so you can put me on the auction block to the highest bidder! That is your life. It was what you wanted and what you got. It is not what I want. Life is not about endless shopping and spas, sitting around a country club with snobbish friends who don't give a damn about you. I will take my life any day over yours. I don't care if Josh moves us to Timbuctoo. At least, we will be together and away from you! Now, get out!"
    "That sounds like a great idea," Josh said, stepping through the doorway where he found his arms full as Jenny ran to him.
    "Goodbye, Denise," Josh said firmly.
    Denise grabbed her oversized handbag and spun around to leave, but Jenny was faster.
    "I said pay for it," Jenny exclaimed through gritted teeth as she grabbed her mother's oversized designer bag to remove the Irish crystal bowl and set it down on the sideboard.
    "You will regret treating me like this when your n****r-loving husband sends you packing!" Denise screamed throwing out the most despicable racial slur.
    Josh sucked in his breath as his eyes reflected instant rage.
    Jenny jumped between her husband and her mother, slamming her hand against his chest to keep Josh from advancing towards Denise.
    "Get out, Denise!" Josh shouted. "Get out and stay out of our lives. You have crossed the line. We are through with you!"
    Denise snatched the crystal bowl from the sideboard and threw it at Josh. He jerked Jenny out of the way, as it hit the refrigerator and shattered, sending glass shards in every direction as his mother-in-law stomped out, slamming the front door in her wake.
    "Daddy," Emmie's scream brought both of their attention to their daughter. She ran across the room, Josh caught her as she jumped and hugged his neck.
    "Holy crap, who's bleeding?" Josh demanded looking down to see his shirt splattered with blood. He stood Emmie on a kitchen chair visually searching her.
    "That would be