<b>Chapter </b><b>188 </b>
Jared wrapped fils arms around me from behind. He pleaded sincerely for us to start over
knew that in matters of the heart, the worst thing was to drag things out. Jared knew that i had feelings for him. He thought that a little please sohen me up and start dues.
If he know what I had been through to stand before him again, he wouldn’t think that was even a possibility.
Calm and resolute, I pried his arms off me the nest moment, I turned to face him, a confident smile on my lips. “Don’t do this. If we’re going to pe do it with dignity”
Jared’s eyes wavered for a moment. I wasn’t teary eyed, nor did I look upset. I just gave him a faint, distant sende, as if he were just a stranger
Emotional <b>distance </b>cut the deepest. I knew it, and i wanted him to feel it. Right now, he was no different from any random
from me now was nothing but courtesy.
“Victoria Jared sounded helpless <b>as </b>he softly called my name. “Please, don’t shut me out like this.“.
I shook my head and said firmly, “I’m not being heartless. <b>It’s </b>only right to do so.”
“What do you take our marriage for?” Jared’s anger rose up, his face flushing red. “Is it just a business deal to you? Are our feelings just chips in some
negotiation!”
I knew Jared couldn’t ept the fact that I suddenly stopped loving him. But he had to. Just like I couldn’t escape the pain be and Tracy put me through in my previousl
“Honestly, if you could treat marriage like a <b>business </b><b>deal</b><b>, </b>things might be easier. When it’s over, you just cut your losses and walk away. We’re not kids anymore. If it <b>fails </b>once, it’ll probably fail the next time, and the time after that
I dropped my gaze, refusing to look at how pissed off he was. After saying that, I <b>turned </b>and headed back to my seat. As soon as I got back to the table. I noticed Clint giving me a look that <b>was </b><b>hard </b>to ignore.
It was a man’s open admiration. With Jared still away, Clint didn’t even bother to hide it anymore.
Amy, meanwhile, acted like nothing was going on. She sipped her wipe, gazing out the window with effortless grace
“Mrs. Hob, your <b>skin </b>is amazing, Clint <b>said</b>, grinning at me without looking away. “I’m in the beauty <b>business</b>, withpanies all over the world. Here’s my VIP card here, Please, take it as a gift”
Tepted it politely and thanked him.
Amy nced over at me, her smile faint. “Mrs. Hob, you have such an air <b>of </b>elegance. Money really does wonders. You look every bit the part of someone living in luxury. Mr. Hob certainly <b>has </b>an eye for quality, and you’re truly blessed<b>.” </b>
I never made a show of my looks, andpliments like these at social gatherings never meant much to me anyway.
“Where’s Mr. Hob? He’s <b>been </b>gone quite a while, Amy suddenly remarked, leigning concern.
I <b>kept </b>eating quietly<b>, </b>and didn’t say a word.
“Hey, Clint, why <b>don’t </b>you go see what’s taking him so long? He did have a few drinks earlier,” Amy said, nudging Clint.
Just as Clint was about to get up, Jared walked back in. He’d already gotten his emotions under control. By the time he sat down, it was like all that earlier drama had never happened.
“Mr. Hob, did you go pay the <b>bill</b>? We were meant to treat you <b>today</b>,” Amy said with a smile.
Jared just smiled back. “It’s no big deal: Have a good time.”
I didn’t look at Jared, but I could tell he kept sneaking nces at me. He was very careful because he was <b>afraid </b>I’d catch him watching.
AD