Jared opened his
s deep eyes just a little, studying me intently, like he was trying to figure out whos i really was all over again.
“Victoria, do you think I’m a yer?” Jared sounded a little pissed by my words, his voile low and serious. “You know me that’s not who dri want meaningless llings, and I definitely don’t wantplications
“want a woman who understands me, someone to build a lie with. Why would I need a crowd?”
I couldn’t help but smirk at his excuses. “Oh, right. You’re not that young anymore. Heard once men hit twenty five, it’s downhill. Can’t beep up thate days, huh?”
“Victoria,” Jared’s handsome face flushed bright red, “Who says I’m not up to it?”
<b>Traised </b>an eyebrow. “Sorry, sore subject? But ording to what you said, Tracy counts, right?”
“Let’s not talk about her anymore. She’s overseas now,” Jared said, sounding Irritated..
“Alright, let’s talk about ourselves. Getting divorced is good for you. Maybe your next wife will give you another kid,” I said. I remembered his old lide disappointment at only having Wonne.
I’m not living just for kids,” Jared said, frowning Yvonne is my daughter. We’re blood–rted. She is my next generation. That’s enough. Victoria. if you don’t want more <b>children</b>, we won’t. Yvonne can be our heiress. Alright?”
I almost wavered, then steadied myself, “No. Maybe you don’t want more kids, but I do. Just not with you.”
The words hit Jared hard. His breathing sharpened, anger palpable. “Victoria, are you trying to drive me mad?” He grabbed his suit jacket and stormed rut
Watching him loseposure gave me a twisted satisfaction. Jared really could get mad. He wasn’t <b>always </b>the ice–cold type alter all.
I’d pushed his buttons again. Maybe the divorce was finally within reach. But the next day at noon, Jared asked me out to lunch, saying he had someo
he wanted me to meet
I figured it was probably someone connected to the hotel. When I arrived, I saw a stylish, elegant couple at the table, deep in conversation.
Just one look, and I instantly pegged them as Shaville locals. Only people from that city dressed with such impable taste, and their essories always looked effortlessly <b>ssy</b>.
“Mr. Hob. The woman immediately stood up with a smile as we walked over.
I <b>gave </b>Jared a puzzled look.
Jared suddenly reached out, pulled me close by the waist, and introduced me, “This is my wife, Victoria.”
The poised woman smiled at me. “Mrs. Hob, lovely to meet you. I’m Amy, this is my husband, Clint. I join thepany tomorrow. Looking forward to working with you, Mr. Hob.”
I shot Jared a surprised look, and he gave my waist & gentle pat.
Clint stood, shaking Jared’s hand. “Amy <b>always </b>admired yourpany culture. d she’s joining your team”
Ishifted into professional mode, a polite smile in ce. Sipping water, I understood Jared’s y. He was reassuring me
He introduced me to his new VP, making it super clear she was happily married and <b>totally </b>off limits. Basically, he was bell office drama or sketchy stuff with subordinates.
not to <b>worry </b>about
But I was married <b>too</b>, and I knew for a fact that when married women decided to let loose, they were even crazier than the <b>single </b>ones.
<b>1/3 </b>
Amy was super chatty, while Clint seemed pretty quiet byparison. Jared discussed business briefly, Phen mentione me a surprised look,
“Mrs. Hob, you actually have your own career? I assumed with Mr. Hab’s sess, you’d enjoy life at hore,” Amy said with is bright these
Jared looked at me with a gentle warmth in his eyes. “Honestly, I always pictured her home with our child.”
“You have a kid?” Amy looked genuinely surprised, clearly not up to speed on Jared’s personal de “Mr. Hob, you and Mrs. Hob lock younger. than we do. How old is your kid?”
Jared chuckled. “She’s just over she. We got married pretty young.”
Clint reached over and squeezed Any’s hand. “Ansy and are nning to stay child–free.”
Amy nodded, “Yeah, kids are cute and all, but we’d rather just enjoy our lives.”
Back in my old life, I’d have seen their choice <b>as </b><b>a </b><b>waste </b>given their excellence and backgrounds. Now, I understood it
Jared nodded respectfully. He wasn’t caught up in all that macho <b>nonsense</b>. He was warm, ssy<b>, </b>and sharp <b>as </b>a tack. Like he always said, he cared more about quality than quantity when it came to rtionships.
Too bad 1 was not the high–caliber woman he wanted. There was just no soul connection between us. I rested my chin in my hand<b>, </b>watching Jared in my previous life, I’d hated him utterly.
But now, I refused to cling to that <b>hate</b>. I trailed behind him, acknowledging my own part <b>in </b>our past. I couldn’t im moral high ground and me him entirely. I wanted distance,
From now on, he’d walk his own <b>road</b>, and I’d search for my own future. In the end, our lives just wouldn’t intersect anymore.
Jared saw me spacing out and reached over to rule my hair. “Are you full?”
I nodded <b>and </b>got up. “I’m gonna hit the restroom<b>.” </b>
I left the table and made my way down the long hallway to the restroom, Finishing <b>washing </b>my hands, someone pressed against me from behind.
It was Jared. His cool, minty scent surrounded me. I went rigid on the spot.
“Victoria, I just realized having you with me at these events is actually really enjoyable,” Jared murmured, his voice low and way too close forfort.
He leaned in, a little lost in the moment, and pressed a lingering kiss to the back of my neck
“Stop flirting here. Someone could walk in, I teased, pushing him off and turning back to the <b>sink</b>.
Jared looked a bit deted when I pushed him away<b>, </b>his voice burning rough and low. “How about I take you with me everywhere from now on, yeah?”
I faced him, realization striking. Jared had once wanted me for my looks. Now I’d reimed myself, he seemed mesmerized anew. His <b>eyes </b>lingered, that familiar spark igniting.
“No need,” I said. “What you want at twenty doesn’t matter at thirty. I’ve changed too. What I wanted months ago means nothing now.” I turned to leave
But then, Jared grabbed my wrist and yanked me fraight into his arms, holding me tight against his chest. “Victoria, can we start over?