<b>Chapter </b><b>71 </b>


    Nathan looked a little <b>conflicted</b>. His driver, picking up on the <b>vibe</b><b>, </b>got into the car first. Nathan quietly said, “You worried for nothing.”


    Maybe this time <b>it </b><b>was </b>just a misunderstanding. But Tracy would get pregnant eventually. She would go through morning sickness eventually. “Looks like I misread him. Are you sure your info is legit?” <b>I </b>still had my doubts.


    Nathan replied firmly, “Definitely.” I believed him. Nathan seemed genuine. I told Nathan to leave. I sat inside the Mercedes- Benz dealership, sipping coffee and watching peoplee and go.


    Then Jared called and asked where I was. My mind went nk for a second, and then I said, “I just smashed my headlight. I’m getting the car fixed now.”


    Jared paused for a couple of seconds and then asked, “You didn’t get hurt, right?”


    “I hurt my forehead. Just a scratch.” I’m done sugarcoating things for him. Before, when I was sick, I didn’t tell him. I didn’t want to mess up his work. I put on a tough front, scared to make even a small mistake.


    But things don’t always turn out the way one wants. People all have their ups and downs. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are part of life.


    When I was a kid, only those who cried got candy. When I grew up, strong women didn’t get much attention or care.


    ‘I won’t be that strong woman anymore. If I’m hurting or tired, I’m going to cry. That’s the only way to figure out who cares. Those who only say they care but don’t will be pushed as far away as possible,‘ I thought.


    I hung up and closed my eyes to rest. Because I was a big client here, the manager checked on me several times. Then he politely told me that I probably couldn’t get my car today and shoulde back in three days.


    I didn’t want to make things difficult. I grabbed my bag and got ready to leave. The manager kindly offered to drive me home. I declined. I stood by the door waiting for a cab when a silver Bentley slowly pulled up.


    The window rolled down. Jared was sitting in the back seat and said, “Get in.”


    “What are you doing here?” I was surprised. Jared not only showed up but came himself.


    He frowned. “How could you be so careless?”


    I got in the car. Jared immediately reached out to check my forehead. I already had a bandage there. When he reached for it, I instinctively pulled away.


    His fingers stiffened a bit, then he pulled back and said softly, “Did you hear I took Tracy to the hospital? That’s why you’re upset again, isn’t it?”


    “No,” I said. “I’ll drive carefully next time.”


    Jared looked at me and then let out a mockingugh. “You’re so jealous that you can’t even drive. And you say you’re not. You’ve got quite a mouth.”


    I looked up at him and said seriously, “I’m not jealous. Tracy works hard for thepany. She got sick. As the boss, it makes sense that you care about her. How could I be jealous?”


    “Victoria, some things, if you fake them too much, just get annoying,” Jared said with a sarcastic tone, clearly not buying it.


    I immediately shut up. People say men are narcissistic, but I didn’t expect Jared to be like that, too. ‘How do I prove I’m not


    jealous and that <b>I </b>don’t love him anymore?‘ I thought quietly.


    The car was silent the rest of the way home. We didn’t say a word. But I knew Jared thought I was fake, and I thought he was way too full of himself.


    When we got home, Yvonne bounced over and asked, “Howe you guys came home together?”


    Her question was funny. For her, it was surprising that her parents came home at the same time. I didn’t answer and just went straight upstairs.


    Jared crouched down and hugged our daughter. “What do you want for dinner? Let Wendy make it for you.”


    “Can I have fried chicken drumsticks?” Yvonne loved her tasty food.


    “Okay, I’ll have Wendy fry some for you.” Jared headed to the kitchen and told Wendy.


    I was in the bathroom, carefully checking my wound. Luckily, it was just a small scrape that wouldn’t leave a scar, but it was still swollen.


    At dinner, I went downstairs to eat. Jared and Yvonne wereughing at something. When Yvonne saw mee down, she quickly covered her mouth and stoppedughing.


    Jared gave me a deep, unreadable look but said nothing. I knew he was using his usual silent treatment to punish me for being stubborn.


    In my previous life, I couldn’tst three days before I’d knock on his doorte at night like a sad little puppy.


    He would open the door coldly, look at me dressed lightly, then turn and lie down on his bed. I would quietly close the door, hug him from behind, apologize softly, and then get his affection for the whole night.


    Jared still nned to tame me that way. As I expected, he waited for me to soften ande to him first to make peace.


    AD