<b>Chapter </b><b>203 </b>
She said men never really grow up emotionally they were just big boys who needed someone to rein them in. But at the time, was so wrapped <b>up </b><b>ind </b>the bliss of being in love that I didn’t take any of her advice to heart
After we got married, I basically let Jared do whatever he pleased, I figured, if you couldn’t keep a dog on a leash, sooner orter it’d get into <b>troub </b>
And <b>back </b>then, I was so naive. I thought everyone went to those clubs just to have fun, and Jared actually believed he was only there for fruit tters. Now, all I could do was shrug andugh at myself.
The kitchen was alive with the sizzling and popping of stir–fry, oil crackling in the pan. After six years as a housewife, I’d gotten pretty talented in <b>the </b>kitchen, I had everything on the table in no time. –
Right then, the doorbell rang. My parents nced at ine, and I rushed over to open it. Sure enough, Jared was standing outside. He paused for a moment when he saw me wearing an apron.
Maybe seeing me like this reminded him of all those times I used to bustle around the kitchen at home. I wondered if it made him feel annoyed with ma
all over <b>again</b>.
“What are you doing here?” asked coolly
“Just came by to see your parents,” Jared replied, holding up some
frowned. This damn man was haunting me like a ghost these days.
fruit and a bottle of wine.
My dad walked over and <b>said</b>, “Jared, since you’re here,e have dinner with us.”
Since Dad had already spoken, I couldn’t refuse and just let him in. As Jared walked past me, he nced at me, looking a little lost in thought.
My dad was always good–natured. Even though Jared <b>and </b>I were in the middle of <b>a </b>divorce, since things hadn’t turned nasty, he still treated Jared like family and chatted with him as <b>usual</b>.
y for all the trouble between me and Victoria,” Jared said, raising his ss. “Let me drink three as an apology”
“William, Mariah, I’m sorry f
“Ainght, this is just a regr family dinner, not some business party. No need for all that,” my <b>dad </b>quickly stopped him, but Jared still drank up the wine.
During dinner, I listened to my parents talking with Jared. He really knew how to work a conversation–never said a single thing that could piss them off
Instead, he handled everything like a pro, making it sound like we’d just <b>had </b>a minor argument, not that we were actually heading for a divorce.
Aher dinner, wanting him out of the house ASAP, I made
P, I made up an excuse about needing some sauce and dragged Jared out with me.
As we waited for the elevator, <b>Jared </b>said quietly, “Victoria, it’s been <b>a </b>while since I had a meal you made. It still tastes just as good as before.”
I smirked, sarcasmcing my words. “Yeah, it’s been a while since <b>you </b>saw me in an apron, too. Do I still look like a mess to <b>you</b>?”
Jared shook his head, his expression serious. “No, even with the apron, <b>you’re </b>different now!
“Oh? How am <b>I </b>different?” I asked offhandedly as I stepped into the elevator with him following behind.
With no one else around, his gaze grew a little bold. He lowered his voice, “You never used to cook in your work clothes”
<b>I </b>paused, ncing down at myself–a rose–gold blouse and a knee–length linen pencil skirt. He was right. Wearing an apron over business attire really did give off a different vibe.
Jared let out a low chuckle. “Honestly, you look pretty great like this”
“Stop,” I <b>said</b><b>, </b>raising my hand. “Quit with thepliments. Next time you want to see me, at least give me a heads–up instead of just showing up
unannounced, okay?
Jared’s eyes flickered with surprise. He was obviously shocked.
As soon as the elevator doors slid open, i said coolly, “Sen yourself out.
Just as I turned to leave, Jared suddenly grabbed my arm. “Victoria, the truth is Fve actually been following you since you let the office throw, it sounds messed up, but I just really wanted to see your
“Maybe this is what your life was always like, and I never cared enough to ask what you did after work. Today, watching you shop at the supermark hit me how little lever knew about your world”
?