Jared shot me a look. “Weren’t you the one who thought there was something hot between us? Now that I’ve let her go, you look all surprised.”

“Letting someone that talented go? Isn’t that a huge loss for the company?” I was honestly shocked. I never thought Jared would make such an impulsive move.

Jared replied casually, “It’s a loss I have to take. Nothing to regret. I’ve already found someone just as capable.”

Honestly, men really did think with their heads, not their hearts. Jared only let Tracy go because she was starting to mess with his reputation.

As the boss, he always said he cared about keeping his image clean. He probably just didn’t want to get dragged into some messy gossip because of a…

“Just be straight with me, okay? Why did you really let her go? And don’t give me that ‘it’s for you’ excuse,” I shot back, my tone full of sarcasm.

Jared set down his fork, stood up, opened the wine cabinet, and pulled out a bottle.

He poured himself half a glass, took a slow sip, and when he looked at me, his eyes were cool and steady. “Victoria, in your eyes, what kind of man is your husband?”

“A guy still breathing,” I answered.

Jared couldn’t help but laugh. “You’ve gotten a lot chattier lately, and a lot funnier, too.”

“That’s because life hasn’t been going my way, and I’m done holding back. If someone ticks me off, I’m not holding back anymore. I'll clap right back.” I wasn’t pretending with Jared anymore.

Before, I always worried that saying things like this would make him see me as some nag, ruining the gentle image I tried so hard to keep in his eyes.

“Yeah, a woman with a bit of an edge is even more attractive,” Jared nodded.

I tightened my grip on my fork and let out a cold laugh. “So Tracy’s the kind of woman with that edge, really attractive, right?”

Jared just looked at me, speechless. He took another sip of his wine and said, “Why do you always have to compare yourself to her? Tracy’s too arrogant.

“Sure, she’s capable, but her sharpness is over the top, and it puts a lot of pressure on people.”

I gave a dry chuckle. “So you men just like women you can keep in check, huh? The moment they stop being easy to handle, you find an excuse to blame them or push them away.”

“Victoria, you want the truth? Fine, I’ll lay it all out. Ever since Tracy joined the company, there has always been gossip swirling around.

“I get it—on paper, Tracy and I look like the perfect pair with the same background, same skills, even looks.

“People just forgot I had a wife waiting for me at home,” Jared paused, his gaze fixed on me. “Victoria, I’m sorry. I really have neglected you all this time.”

“No need to apologize. I brought it on myself,” I replied, feeling nothing at all as he said it.

He shook his head. “No, it’s on me. If I’d cared about your feelings and stepped up to clear the air when the rumors started, you wouldn’t have felt like you had to compete with Tracy.

“I was supposed to be your umbrella, but instead, I let you get caught in the rain.

“Storms help you grow. It’s not the worst thing,” I said, looking up at him. “And as for you, the umbrella full of holes, when you end up with someone else, at least I won’t feel so miserable.”

Jared seemed at a loss for words.

Chapter 182

I smiled, “So it was Tracy hurting your reputation at work that you decided to let her go, huh?”

I got it right. Jared paused for a moment, then nodded. “Pretty much. I gave her a pretty generous severance, and she said she wants to keep…"

“Really? She’s not even married, and she’s still willing to have the baby?” I was slightly surprised. In my previous life, Tracy didn’t hesitate to abort, but now she’s doing the complete opposite.

“That’s what she told me. I don’t know if she’ll actually have the baby, but either way, it’s over between us,” Jared said, finishing his drink and getting to his feet. “I’m heading back to the office. Safe travels, and take care.”

I watched as Jared walked over to the entryway to put on his shoes, and I called out, “Wait a second!”

Jared stood by the door, looking at me with a hint of hope in his eyes, probably thinking I was going to give him a kiss goodbye.

But all I did was quickly gather up the leftovers and say, “Take the trash out on your way out.”