Chapter 174

I shuddered, a harsh truth hitting me: loving someone too much was a mistake, a pressure that suffocates.

Jared’s eyes grew unfocused, his long fingers digging into the armrest. “These past few years, my career's been skyrocketing. My bank account kept growing, and maybe I got carried away, started thinking you weren’t right for me anymore. I was sprinting down the highway, and you were just standing still. The more I accumulated, the farther apart we became, until I could barely see you anymore. I bet you could feel I was slipping away, too.”

I closed my eyes, quietly listening to everything he said. It was brutally real and harsh, but that’s just how adulthood works. There was no running away; one just had to face it.

Seeing me stay quiet, Jared pressed on. “Honestly, I’m glad you changed and decided to start fresh. When you said you wanted to work, I supported you."

“But even if you’re chasing your career, why are you pushing Yvonne away? What did she ever do wrong? Or is it because you hate me, so you’re taking it out on her?”

I couldn’t explain it to him. I’m the only one carrying the pain of Yvonne turning her back on me. It’s not something I can ever talk about, and I know I won’t ever stop keeping my distance from her.

“Maybe I’ve just turned cold and heartless. It’s not about anyone in particular,” I said softly.

“Yvonne is your daughter. You gave birth to her and poured your heart into raising her for six years. How can you just turn your back on her like that?” Jared seemed genuinely worked up about how I was treating Yvonne.

I shot him a sarcastic laugh. “You never even tried to see things from my side. Just now, I could barely find the will to keep living. So, why should I care about anyone else?”

Jared choked, his face flushing with anger. My voice dropped, steady but firm. “I have to learn to love myself first before I can love anyone else. Please, just let me do this for myself.”

Jared fell silent, then nodded. “Alright, I won’t bring up how you treated the child. But in the recording, Tracy mentioned fighting for divorce assets. Were you tempted by that?”

My heart skipped a beat. Of course, I was tempted by the money. So much wealth could sway anyone. “I know I don’t deserve that much money.”

“You do,” Jared interrupted, locking eyes with me. “If we end up divorcing, I’ll give you that much.”

I locked eyes with him. “Really?”

Jared nodded. “If the divorce is my fault, I won’t hold back. I’ll give you even more than that.”

My heart was pounding. Jared was never the stingy type. If he was the one who messed up, he’d always make sure I got more than my share.

“I think we should get a divorce,” I said. Since we had already come this far, might as well just lay all my cards on the table and hit him with the big one.

Jared’s brows drew together in confusion as he looked at me. “So, after everything I just said, none of it got through to you? You still insist on divorcing?”

I let out a mocking laugh. “How much longer do you think we can drag this out? I could wait forever, but Tracy’s the one who can’t.”

Jared shot me a frustrated look. “Why is she in such a rush? Haven’t I told you already? I’ve made it clear to her. There’s nothing between us. We’re just colleagues, that’s all.”

I arched my brow, a faint smirk on my lips. “Jared, you always say you’re a grown-up. So, as an adult, shouldn’t you own up to what you’ve done?”

Jared gave me a puzzled look, then nodded. “Of course.”

I reached into my bag, pulled out a printed sheet, and tossed it right in front of him. “Take a good look. Tracy’s pregnant. Time for you to face the consequences.”