<b>Chapter </b><b>142 </b>
I pretended not to hear and kept walking. Jared caught up, grabbing my arm. “What’s wrong now?”
I stared at his face, mentally picturing him as a stack of hundred–dor bills to keep my temper in check. “What do you want?” I asked tly.
“My cousin’s getting married tomorrow. We’re going to Shariport tonight,” he said, right there in the middle of the hallway.
I knew this cousin, a university professor. Scrolling through my memories of my previous life, I vaguely recalled my mother–inw mentioning the wedding.
Back then, Jared had gone alone. Of course, “alone” in his world had never truly meant alone. There had always been a certainpanion- Tracy, no doubt.
So, color me surprised. Jared actually wanted me to go this time. Tracy must be seething.
“I’ve got a lot on my te right now,” I said, deliberately dismissive. “Maybe I’ll sit this one out.”
Part of my new mission in this life was to emotionally detach–and, when possible, subtly needle him. Payback for the lifetime of neglect he’d served me.
Jared’s expression darkened. “He’s my closest cousin. My parents can’t make it, so we’re representing the family. You not going would be disrespectful.”
“Are we taking Yvonne?” Thest thing I wanted was a long trip with her.
“No. Just us.” His voice was clipped.
A business hub like Shariport was exactly where I needed to be. Networking opportunities, industry elites–attending as Jared Hob’s wife would open doors for my career.
Plus, I’d been nning to grow a TikTok presence for the hotel. This trip could give me content worth filming.
“Fine. I’ll wrap up work and pack,” I said, shaking off his grip and striding toward my office.
Through the ss reflection, I saw him standing rigidly, frustration etched between his brows.
That evening, we rode in silence to the airport. “We didn’t tell Yvonne about Shariport, did we?” Jared asked abruptly.
1 shook my head. “No.”
“Good. No need to upset her.” His voice softened, the same indulgent tone he always used when it came to her.
I didn’t reply, turning to watch the city lights blur past.
The airport buzzed with travelers. Jared and I traveled light, breezing through security before settling in the VIP lounge.
He was all sharp angles and tailored businesswear, his million–dor watch glinting under the lights as he typed away on hisptop, every
inch the elite CEO.
I took my coffee outside, leaning against the ss to watch nes take off. No need to sit with him.
When I returned, three giggling girls,had clustered near Jared, their cheeks pink as they nudged each other, clearly angling for his number.
35%
I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorway, watching. Ah, youth. Bold, hopeful, unburdened.
Not like me. Though my body was young again, my soul felt like a wastnd, ravaged and barren. But perhaps that was the very point of a second life: to rebuild hope, brick by stubborn brick, atop the ruins of my previous life,
Finally, one of the girls gathered her courage and approached Jared for his number. He looked up from hisptop, momentarily confused, before his gaze flickered past her, straight to me standing in the doorway.
“Sorry,” he said, voice cool. “My wife is right there. She might get the wrong idea.”
Three pairs of eyes snapped to me. The girls flushed and scurried away like startled deer.
I almost felt bad for them. They were clearly well–bred, dressed in designerbels, probably just smitten by Jared’s sharp suit and CEO aura, hoping for a whirlwind meet–cute.
But they didn’t know Jared. The reckless impulsiveness of his youth was long gone. The man who’d once spotted me in a crowd and pursued me with feverish intensity, who’d married me in a ze of passion… that man no longer existed.
Marrying me was probably the one impulsive decision he’de to regret. Seduced by my face, only to realize <i>too </ite that beneath the pretty packaging, I was utterly mismatched for his world.
Those girls had picked the wrong era. This Jared was calcted, controlled. No longer the type to be swayed by a pretty smile.
I thought back to what he’d said at the church. “I care about my reputation.” It made sense now. A rising entrepreneur couldn’t afford scandals. Even in our previous life, he’d never been one for affairs. Tracy was the sole exception.
God, I’d been so petty back then. I’d actually hired a neen–year–old to seduce him, just to drive a wedge between them. It backfired spectacrly.
When the girl tearfully returned his jacket–the one he’d told her to “just throw away“-I’d realized the truth: Tracy was the only woman he’d ever let in.
“Victoria.” Jared’s voice snapped me back to the present. “Let me have a sip of your coffee.”
Without thinking, I tipped my head back and drained the cup, then shed him the empty liner before tossing it into the trash. His eyebrow twitched.
At the boarding, Jared stood close behind me. Ahead, a hyperactive kid shoved his parent, who stumbled back into me, sending me colliding into Jared’s chest.
His arm instantly hooked around my waist, steadying me. “You okay?” he murmured, breath warm against my ear.
The parent apologized profusely. I nodded stiffly and stepped forward, but Jared’s hand lingered–just a fraction too long–before falling away. When I nced back, his jaw was tight, expression unreadable.
On the ne, I feigned sleep. Jared didn’t bother me, just slid on his noise–canceling headphones.
Shariport, a city of legends, with a maic allure that drew travelers from all over the world. By the time we arrived, night had already fallen. Jared had booked us a hotel near Victoria Harbour, where the glittering skyline stretched beyond the floor–to–ceiling windows.
But I wasn’t here for the view. My mind was preupied with a more pressing question: How were we going to handle sleeping arrangements tonight?
Thest time we spoke, Jared had promised he wouldn’t force anything between us. I could only hope he’d keep his word.
Fresh out of the shower, Jared walked over, his dark hair still damp. He stood beside me, gazing out at the city lights before suddenly asking, “Would you like to own a ce here?”
I turned to him, startled. He gestured toward a distant cluster of high–<b>rises</b><b>. </b>“There’s a new luxury development going up over there. We should check it out tomorrow.”
My breath hitched, my pulse quickening. Again with the money, Jared knew exactly how to dangle the right bait.
<b>Chapter </b><b>142 </b>
I pretended not to hear and kept walking, Jared caught up, grabbing my arm. “What’s wrong now?<i>” </i>
I stared at his face, mentally picturing him as a stack of hundred–dor bills to keep my temper in check. “What do you want?” I asked tly.
“My cousin’s getting married tomorrow. We’re going to Shariport tonight,” he said, right there in the middle of the hallway.
knew this cousin, a university professor. Scrolling through my memories of my previous life, I vaguely recalled my mother–inw mentioning the wedding.
Back then, Jared had gone alone. Of course, “alone” in his world had never truly meant alone. There had always been a certainpanion- Tracy, no doubt.
So, color me surprised. Jared actually wanted me to go this time. Tracy must be seething.
“I’ve got a lot on my te right now,” I said, deliberately dismissive. “Maybe I’ll sit this one out.”
Part of my new mission in this life was to emotionally detach–and, when possible, subtly needle him. Payback for the lifetime of neglect he’d
served me.
Jared’s expression darkened. “He’s my closest cousin. My parents can’t make it, so we’re representing the family. You not going would be disrespectful.”
“Are we taking Yvonne?” Thest thing I wanted was a long trip with her.
“No. Just us.” His voice was clipped.
A business hub like Shariport was exactly where I needed to be. Networking opportunities, industry elites–attending as Jared Hob’s wife would open doors for my career.
Plus, I’d been nning to grow a TikTok presence for the hotel. This trip could give me content worth filming.
“Fine. I’ll wrap up work and pack,” I said, shaking off his grip and striding toward my office.
Through the ss reflection, I saw him standing rigidly, frustration etched between his brows.
That evening, we rode in silence to the airport. “We didn’t tell Yvonne about Shariport, did we?” Jared asked abruptly.
1 shook my head. “No.”
“Good. No need to upset her.” His voice softened, the same indulgent tone he always used when it came to her.
I didn’t reply, turning to watch the city lights blur past.
The airport buzzed with travelers. Jared and I traveled light, breezing through security before settling in the VIP lounge.
He was all sharp angles and tailored businesswear, his million–dor watch glinting under the lights as he typed away on hisptop, every
inch the elite CEO.
I took my coffee outside, leaning against the ss to watch nes take off. No need to sit with him.
When I returned, three giggling girls had clustered near Jared, their cheeks pink as they nudged each other, clearly angling for his number.
15:15 Wed, 13 Aug
35%
“Where are you? I’lle pick up Yvonne. You just got off a flight. I appreciate you looking after her.” A pause. “Yeah, stay there. I’m on my
way.”
He hung up and turned, only to see me standing there. A flicker of difort crossed his face. “I’m going to get Yvonne. You should head
home.”
“Sure.” I had no intention of joining him anyway. But that fleeting unease in his eyes? My instincts screamed.
Maybe Quinn and Yvonne weren’t the only ones at that concert. Maybe Tracy was there too. And that was why Jared didn’t insist Ie along. Because tonight, my presence wasn’t required.
I marched to my car, slid in, and sped off. I didn’t hear theme home. By the time Jared and Yvonne returned, I was already asleep.
The next morning, Yvonne was draped over Jared’sp, rubbing her eyes dramatically. “Daddy, my tummy hurts. I can’t go to school.”
Jared sighed, stroking her hair. “Yvonne, Mommy and I have work. If you’re really sick, we’ll go to the hospital.” He didn’t allow her to skip
sses.
“Will they give me a shot?” Her eyes widened in horror.
“Possibly.”
“Never mind!” She scrambled upright. “School’s fine.”
Just then, I descended the stairs. Yvonne immediately bolted from Jared andtched onto my leg. “Mommy, skip work today! Take me to the park instead?”
I looked down at her. Mosquito bites dotted her cheeks, angry red welts against her skin. Normally, I’d fuss over her, applying ointment until the swelling faded. Today, I couldn’t muster the energy.
“I’m busy.” My voice was ice.
“You never love me anymore!” she wailed. “Tracy would never” She caught herself, but the damage was done.
Jared’s gaze flicked to me, testing my reaction. I gave none. Instead, I took a deliberate bite of the organic avocado toast Wendy had prepared, the morning sunlight catching my cheeks.
Lately, I’d been taking better care of myself. My skin glowed, myplexion was radiant, and the sickly pallor I once had was gone. My eyes, no longer dull and tired, now shone with rity.
Jared crouched before our pouting daughter. “Mom’s busy. I’ll drop you at school, might pick you up if my meetings clear.”
“Can someone else get me? I want-” Yvonne whisper–shouted into his ear, throwing me a sidelong re.
His jaw tightened. “Pleeeeease, Daddy?” She batted hershes, the perfect little maniptor.
Defeated, he ruffled her hair. “Finish your chia pudding first.” She devoured it with performative gusto, shooting me a triumphant look.
After dropping Yvonne off at school, Jared headed to work. I had business at thepany too, some financial matters needed sorting out.
The moment I stepped into the finance department, I spotted Tracy. Her expression darkened when she saw me.
As she turned to leave, she suddenly asked, “A transfer of 3 million was made from Mr. Hob’s personal ount yesterday. Do <i>you </i>know
where that money went, Mrs. Hob?”
15:15 Wed, 13 Aug VI
1 blinked. Since when did Tracy have ess to Jared’s finances? She was really stepping into the wife role, wasn’t she?
“Why ask me? Ask him,” I shot back, no longer the meek woman I used to be.
Tracy’s face tightened. “I will.”
￥雰<b>35</b><b>% </b>
I was almost curious how Jared would exin this. Would he tell her the truth? If Tracy found out, she might just get mad on the spot. But knowing Jared, he’d probably keep it to himself. He always guarded his privacy fiercely.
As I left the finance office, I spotted Jared stepping out of the elevator. I pretended not to see him and turned the other way, but he called out, “Honey,e to my office for a minute.”
The entire hallway froze. Honey? Since when did he call me that in public? The man was putting on quite the devoted–husband act. But everyone in thispany knew Tracy was his real love.