<b>Chapter </b><b>171 </b>
Janed wouldn’t let go, holding me in adeath grip. I wasn’t in the mood to y nice either, so I turned my head, grabbed his hand, and sank my teeth
Jared hissed in pain and finally let go, his breathing in short ragged bursts. “What now? Why did you sneak off here all by yourself without telling anyone? You’ve been sitting here all afternoon!”
“Just leave me alone.” I turned my face away, tears spilling down instantly, looking like the whole world was <b>against </b>me
Jared <b>crouched </b>down, reaching out to gently cup my face and turn it toward him. My eyes brimmed with bears, full of hurt and sadness. Jared’s eyes wered too, filled with worry.
He looked at me with a mix of tenderness, pain, and guilt, like he was seeing a memorye alive in his eyes. He let out a soft sigh. “Don’t cry. Let’s ga home first.
“I’m not going home. That ce isn’t my home anymore.” I <b>pushed </b><b>his </b>arms <b>away </b><b>and </b>turned to walk toward Willow Bay
Jared panicked and pulled me into a tight hug from behind. “Don’t do anything reckless, Victoria. Whatever it is, let’s talk it out. Don’t do something stupid.”
I paused, surprised he thought I’d do something drastic. I <b>just </b>wanted to take a detour <b>and </b>leave, not do anything crazy. But if that’s what Jared thinks, maybe I should y along <b>and </b>make things a little more dramatic.
“You don’t love m
me anymore<b>, </b>Jared. So why bother putting on this act like <b>you </b>still care?” I sobbed, my voice full of sarcasm as I tried to pry his fingers off
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“Who told you that? Victoria, if I didn’t love you, why would I have married you?” <b>Jared </b>said, his words sounding <b>almost </b><b>forced</b><b>, </b><b>as </b>if he was trying to convince both me and himsell
let out a cold, bitterugh and didn’t say another word. Jared finally <b>released </b>me, but then gently took my hand in his. “Alright, wherever you want to go, at least change your <b>clothes </b>first. You’ll catch <b>a </b>cold like this.”
Numbly, I followed him into the car. He turned on the heater and insisted i sit in the passenger seat, not letting me sit in the back. He pressed me down, fearing I might do something foolish, then bent to buckle my seatbelt
As he leaned down, I noticed his shirt was soaked through, making him <b>look </b>disheveled. Jared, who <b>always </b>cared about his appearance, rarely let himself end up in such a <b>state</b>.
a
Jared took me to a hotel and had his driver deliver a change of clothes for both of <b>us</b><b>. </b>
<b>“</b>Go take a hot shower. Want me to help <b>you</b><b>?</b><b>” </b><b>Jared </b><b>asked </b>softly, <b>as </b><b>if </b>he thought I <b>was </b><b>helpless</b>.
“No.” I grabbed the clothes and went straight into the bathroom. Aher my shower<b>, </b>I <b>curled </b>up on the couch, waiting for the next act in this little show.
Jared took a shower and came out in fresh clothes. When he saw me still looking miserable, he sighed and sat down next to me. <b>“</b><b>You </b>haven’t eaten yet,
right? Let me order us some food.”
Isnapped back right away, “Don’t act like you care about <b>me</b><b>.</b>”
Jared paused, his <b>hand </b>frozen over his phone, frowning at me. “What <b>happened</b>? If you’re upset, at least tell me what’s wrong. Do you know how worried I was when you did <b>this</b><b>?</b>”
I knew Jared was just freaked out by what I did, which was why he was getting on my case. But I just cried. My sobs were the only sound in the room
“What’s wrong?” Jared asked, his voice hoarse as he furrowed <b>his </b><b>brows </b>
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“Tracy came to see me,” I said quietly.
Chapt