Chapter 181
Yvonne suddenly blurted out those words, catching both Jared and me completely off guard.
Before either of us could say a word, Yvonne started wailing loudly, grabbing my hand and then clutching Jared’s arm, crying, “I don’t want you to be divorced. I don’t want to be an orphan. I don’t want people to laugh at me!”
I frowned as I watched Yvonne crying her heart out. When I looked up, I happened to catch Jared staring at me, his eyes deep and unreadable.
I warned myself not to go soft. No matter what Jared and Yvonne did, I had to put myself first. Pitying them would only drag me back to the same old road I’d walked before.
“Yvonne, stop crying. We aren’t getting divorced,” Jared said, unable to stand seeing his daughter so upset.
He bent down, scooped her up, wiped away her tears, and kissed her cheek. “From now on, you have to listen to your mom, respect her, and be good to her, okay?”
Yvonne sniffled, gave me a pouty look, and then nodded sweetly. “Okay, I will.”
Watching these two put on their little show in front of me, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes inwardly.
Seeing Yvonne agree, Jared gave me a gentle, almost wistful look. “Victoria, just focus on your work. I’ll take Yvonne home. Tomorrow, I'll take you to the airport.”
“It’s fine. I can go by myself,” I said, turning down his offer without hesitation.
Jared pressed his lips together, looking a little disappointed, but he didn’t insist. Holding Yvonne in his arms, he walked away.
I spent the whole night buried in work. I wasn’t going to let Jared and Yvonne take up any more of my time.
While I was in the shower, I suddenly wondered if Jared secretly enjoyed being treated badly.
Back when I was bending over backwards for him, all gentle and caring, he acted so indifferent, like I barely mattered. But now that I was cold to him, he was the one trying to please me, going along with everything I said.
Men were so weird, sometimes deep and serious, other times childish. One just couldn’t figure them out.
The next morning, I didn’t go to the office, but I had an informant planted there to keep tabs for me.
She called me a little after ten, telling me Jared had called Tracy into HR for a private talk. Rumor had it she was about to get another promotion.
Now that Jared knew Tracy was carrying another man’s baby, I wondered if he was still going to be the sucker who picked up the mess for her.
If he actually had the guts to do that, all I could do was wish him luck.
Tracy was Jared’s go-to girl. No matter how ugly things got, I figured he’d never let her leave the company. No boss would let go of someone that capable.
At noon, Jared found out I was still at the apartment and actually showed up with food he’d packed.
When I opened the door and saw him in casual clothes, I thought he was so annoying.
Jared walked in, spotted my packed suitcase, and gave it a lift. “This is heavy. Can you even carry it?”
I was sitting at my laptop, working, and replied, “You know, women can haul those big water cooler bottles when there’s no man around.”
Jared gave me a weird look, and just smiled, “Don’t worry. I can handle it.”
Jared sat down next to me and said, “Let’s eat first. No matter how busy you are, you need to take care of yourself.”
I couldn’t argue with that. I closed my laptop, walked over to the table, and saw that he’d packed up all my favorite food. I looked at him, and he looked a little awkward.
“The world must be going crazy. When I liked you, you didn’t even notice me. Now that we’re getting divorced, you’re suddenly all over me.”
“Jared, do you guys think women are that easy to win over? Slap us around, then give us a treat? One treat not enough? How about seven?” I propped my chin on my hand, and looked at him.
Jared frowned slightly and said, “Don’t overthink it. We’re still married.”
I knew he wouldn’t have a good answer, so I didn’t press him. I just ate in silence.
Jared was eating with me when he suddenly said, “I asked Tracy to resign.”
“What?” I stared at him in disbelief. “You’re really willing to let her go?"