Chapter 105

I’d never seen Jared so clingy before. Even when we first got married, he wasn’t the type to stick with me. Back then, I was always the one clinging to him.

He had work on his mind all the time. The company had just landed in his hands, and the workload was crazy. He was so busy he was barely ever home, and our honeymoon got cut short. Whenever he did show up, I’d just latch onto him.

I suddenly realized that when we got married, he didn’t really love me. He was just after my youth and the emotional value I brought him. It was like I was his little pet. If I made a fuss, he’d hand me some money; if I was upset, he’d buy me a gift.

Sure, Jared would sometimes lower his voice and sweet-talk me, but that was only because he knew I was easy to coax. He was the ultimate tease, and after we got married, he totally had me hooked like a clueless fish. But now, I wasn’t going to be the fish anymore. I was ready to do some fishing of my own. Marriage had turned into a playful game of cat and mouse between us.

‘So, who’s reeling in who now? If one’s the first to take the bait, one’s the fish,’ I thought.

I didn’t say anything, but with my soft curves and delicate frame, it only took the slightest tease from Jared to bring out all my feminine charm. The crystal chandelier above spilled warm light over us, and Jared’s gaze was so deep, it felt like he was really seeing me for the very first time.

He reached out, gently tucking a few playful strands of hair behind my ear, then traced his fingers lightly over my smooth cheek, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “Victoria, are you aging backwards or something?”

I blinked in surprise, refusing to meet his eyes. Instead, I turned my head away, staring out at the night sky. Jared must’ve felt a little let down when I didn’t respond. I figured if I kept acting cold, he’d get the message and just go to sleep on the other bed. But I really underestimated him. Even with me acting all uninterested, he wasn’t about to give up.

He reached out and switched off all the lights, leaving the whole bedroom bathed in shadows. The overlapping shadows on the wall made the atmosphere even more intense, and I couldn’t help but blush. I reached out, trying to push him away.

Suddenly, Jared lost his patience. He grabbed his belt from the side, caught my hands, and tied them above my head. The leather was stiff and bit into my wrists, making it sting. With a rough, husky whisper in my ear, he said, “Just hold on. It’ll be over soon.”

After what felt like forever, Jared lay on top of me, his breath coming in rough, heavy bursts, not moving an inch.

“You’re so heavy,” I managed to gasp, barely able to breathe.

Only then did Jared kiss me softly on the cheek, undo the belt, and set me free. He gently stroked the red marks on my wrists with his fingers, then pressed two tender kisses to them. “Victoria, don’t you love me anymore?”

He picked this moment to ask, and my heart skipped a beat. I managed to speak, my voice hoarse. “What if I don’t?”

Jared pulled the blanket over us, letting out a low laugh. “If that’s how it is, then so be it. Love isn’t something you can fake or hide.”

My eyes went still as I looked at him in the darkness. Jared’s eyes seemed especially bright in the dim room, locked onto me. Finally, he said, “Honestly, whether you love me or not isn’t that important in a marriage. Victoria, I’ll allow you not to love me, but I still don’t want a divorce.”

It was like he’d really thought this through. As soon as he finished, he didn’t wait for my answer, just got up and walked straight into the bathroom.

I sat up abruptly, staring at the bathroom light that had just flicked on.

‘Is Jared seriously crazy enough to want both a wife and a mistress?’ I thought. ‘Does he really think he can live the dream of having it all? Is he even cut out for that? He’d better be careful, or he’ll wear himself out sooner or later.’

I was so mad I wanted to let loose with some curses, but my parents raised me too well, and all that good-girl training left my mind blank. I couldn’t even think of a single curse word.

When Jared came out, he acted like nothing had happened. He sat down on the bed next to mine, opened his laptop, and got to work.