Chapter 184

After lunch and wrapping up work for the day, I told everyone to go do their "men thing." Of course, I made a beeline for the high-end boutiques. I was dressed in a light green dress, my long hair braided to one side, channeling a classic, timeless elegance.

"Mrs. Holcomb, Mr. Holcomb said your "Englysian" isn't the best, so how about I join you for some shopping? I’m fluent in three languages," Luna Scott chimed in, smiling as she tried to tag along.

She was obviously Jared’s spy, and there was no way I was letting her follow me around. "No need, I've already got an interpreter from the hotel. You've been busy all day. Go relax and take it easy."

"But, Mrs. Holcomb, I can help carry your bags. I’m pretty strong!" Luna was clearly worried about failing whatever Jared put her up to, so she kept insisting.

"Oh? Do I need to check in with you about everywhere I go now?" I shot back, my voice cold as ice.

Luna clammed up instantly. I’d been so easy to deal with this whole trip that everyone thought I was soft, but now, the chill in my voice made her back off without another word.

I turned, opened the car door, and slid into the seat. The female interpreter I’d hired joined me inside.

Finally out from under Jared’s watchful eye, I could actually breathe again. As my interpreter chatted about the sights and local culture, I found myself soaking it all in, getting a real taste of what this country was all about.

I came back loaded down with shopping bags, feeling way better than I had in a long time.

After four days in Falansia, it was finally time to head home. When I landed, Jared and Yvonne were waiting for me at the airport.

Yvonne was clutching a bouquet of flowers, looking a bit bashful as she offered them to me. "Here, Mom. These are for you."

I took the flowers and passed them straight to one of the senior women behind me. Yvonne’s face fell in an instant.

Jared could tell I was being distant. He looked like he wanted to say something, but held back, just reached out and took my suitcase. "Let's go. I’ve got dinner all set up.”

I said coolly, “I’m skipping dinner. I just want to go home and..."

Jared insisted, “My folks are coming too. Let’s all have dinner together."

I met his gaze and insisted, “I really don’t want to go."

Yvonne suddenly snapped, “Mom, what’s gotten into you lately? Why are you being so distant with all of us?”

I looked at her and said, “Can’t I have a break when I’m tired?”

“But you never used to get tired like this. Now you’re always saying you’re exhausted. Are you sick or something? Maybe you should see a doctor,” Yvonne retorted, quick as ever with her comebacks.

Jared just stood there, saying nothing. It was obvious. I’d hit a nerve by skipping the Holcomb family dinner; he was definitely not happy about it.

I couldn’t care less if he was pissed. It was not like he ever agreed to the divorce anyway.

“Dad, let’s just go. If she’s not coming, we came all this way for nothing," Yvonne said, tugging at Jared’s arm. "See? I told you, but you wouldn’t listen.”

Jared loosened his grip on the suitcase handle bit by bit, then said quietly, “Alright, since you’re tired, go home and get some rest. I’ll take Yvonne with..."

“Okay,” I said, grabbing my suitcase and flagging down a cab.

Once inside, I glanced back through the rear window. Jared and Yvonne were still standing there on the curb.

As the car drove off, it hit me. I’d really let them go, not just in person, but in my heart, too.

Jared always thought I was just bluffing whenever I mentioned divorce, like I was just throwing a fit and didn’t really mean it.

But now that I was actually following through, he would finally realize I meant every word. I wasn’t playing around.

He always thought I couldn’t live without him and that I’d never find anyone better. Just like that, Nathan showed up.

He was like a powerful rival, eyeing me like a wolf, just waiting for Jared to loosen his grip so he could swoop right in. Nathan’s presence made Jared finally stop ignoring me. It turned out that it took a little competition to actually get noticed.

Before I got divorced, Nathan always kept things strictly platonic, never once crossing the line. But that night, when I was having dinner with Melisse, I ran into him and Zachary at the restaurant.

Melissa shot me an awkward look and said, “Zachary brought his boss along. Victoria, hope you don’t mind?”

I just shook my head and laughed. People brought friends or family to dinner, sure, but since when did it become a thing to bring one’s boss?