StartNovelJared opened his
s deep eyes just a little, studyingintently, like he was trying to figure out whos i really was all over again.
“Victoria, do you think I'm a player?” Jared sounded a little pissed by my words, his voile low and serious. “You
knowthat’s not who dri want meaningless Ilings, and | definitely don’t want complications
“want a woman who understands me, someone to build a lie with. Why would | need a crowd?”
| 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 handsface flushed bright red, “Who says I'm not up to it?”
Traised an eyebrow. “Sorry, sore subject? But according 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,” | said. | 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-related. She is my next
generation. That's enough. Victoria. if you don’t want more children, we won't. Yvonne can be our heiress.
Alright?”
| almost wavered, then steadied myself, “No. Maybe you don’t want more kids, but | do. Just not with you.”
The words hit Jared hard. His breathing sharpened, anger palpable. “Victoria, are you trying to drivemad?”
He grabbed his suit jacket and stormed rut
Watching him lose composure gavea twisted satisfaction. Jared really could get mad. He wasn’t always the
ice-cold type alter all.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
I'd pushed his buttons again. Maybe the divorce was finally within reach. But the next day at noon, Jared asked
he wantedto meet
| figured it was probably someone connected to the hotel. When | arrived, | saw a stylish, elegant couple at the
table, deep in conversation.
Just one look, and | instantly pegged them as Shaville locals. Only people from that city dressed with such
impeccable taste, and their accessories always looked effortlessly classy.
“Mr. Holcomb. The woman immediately stood up with a smile as we walked over.
| gave Jared a puzzled look.
Jared suddenly reached out, pulledclose by the waist, and introduced me, “This is my wife, Victoria.”
The poised woman smiled at me. “Mrs. Holcomb, lovely to meet you. I'm Amy, this is my husband, Clint. I join
the company tomorrow. Looking forward to working with you, Mr. Holcomb.”
| shot Jared a surprised look, and he gave my waist & gentle pat.
Clint stood, shaking Jared's hand. “Amy always admired your company culture. Glad she’s joining your team”
Ishifted into professional mode, a polite smile in place. Sipping water, | understood Jared's play. He was
reassuring me
He introducedto his new VP, making it super clear she was happily married and totally off limits. Basically,
he was bell office or sketchy stuff with subordinates.
not to worry about
But | was married too, and | knew for a fact that when married women decided to let loose, they were even
crazier than the single ones.
1/3
Chapter 187
Amy was super chatty, while Clint seemed pretty quiet by comparison. Jared discussed business briefly, Phen
mentionea surprised look,
“Mrs. Holcomb, you actually have your own career? | assumed with Mr. Halcomb’s success, you'd enjoy life at
hore,” Amy said with is bright these
Jared looked atwith a gentle warmth in his eyes. “Honestly, | always pictured her hwith our child.”
“You have a kid?” Amy looked genuinely surprised, clearly not up to speed on Jared's personal de “Mr. Holcomb,
you and Mrs. Holcomb 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 planning 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 as a waste given their excellence and backgrounds. Now, |
understood it
Jared nodded respectfully. He wasn’t caught up in all that macho nonsense. He was warm, classy, and sharp as a
tack. Like he always said, he cared more about quality than quantity when it cto relationships.
Too bad 1 was not the high-caliber woman he wanted. There was just no soul connection between us. | rested
my chin in my hand, watching Jared in my previous life, I'd hated him utterly.
But now, | refused to cling to that hate. | trailed behind him, acknowledging my own part in our past. | couldn't
claim moral high ground and blhim entirely. | wanted distance,
From now on, he'd walk his own road, and I'd search for my own future. In the end, our lives just wouldn't
intersect anymore.
Jared sawspacing out and reached over to rule my hair. “Are you full?”
| nodded and got up. “I'm gonna hit the restroom.”
| left the table and made my way down the long hallway to the restroom, Finishing washing my hands, someone
pressed againstfrom behind.
It was Jared. His cool, minty scent surrounded me. | went rigid on the spot.
“Victoria, | just realized having you withat these events is actually really enjoyable,” Jared murmured, his
voice low and way too close for comfort.
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, | teased, pushing him off and turning back to the sink.
Jared looked a bit deflated when | pushed him away, his voice burning rough and low. “How about | take you with
| faced him, realization striking. Jared had once wantedfor my looks. Now I'd reclaimed myself, he seemed
mesmerized anew. His eyes lingered, that familiar spark igniting.
“No need,” | said. “What you want at twenty doesn’t matter at thirty. I've changed too. What | wanted months
ago means nothing now.” | turned to leave
But then, Jared grabbed my wrist and yankedfraight into his arms, holdingtight against his chest.
“Victoria, can we start over?
Chapter 189
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