Chapter 188

Jared wrapped his arms around me from behind. He pleaded sincerely for us to start over.

I knew that in matters of the heart, the worst thing was to drag things out. Jared knew that I had feelings for him. He thought that a little plea would soften me up and start things anew.

If he knew what I had been through to stand before him again, he wouldn’t think that was even a possibility.

Calm and resolute, I pried his arms off me. The next moment, I turned to face him, a confident smile on my lips. “Don’t do this. If we’re going to end things, do it with dignity.”

Jared’s eyes wavered for a moment. I wasn’t teary eyed, nor did I look upset. I just gave him a faint, distant send-off, as if he were just a stranger.

Emotional distance cut the deepest. I knew it, and I wanted him to feel it. Right now, he was no different from any random person. All I felt from him now was nothing but courtesy.

“Victoria,” Jared sounded helpless as he softly called my name. “Please, don’t shut me out like this.”

I shook my head and said firmly, “I’m not being heartless. It’s only right to do so.”

“What do you take our marriage for?” Jared’s anger rose up, his face flushing red. “Is it just a business deal to you? Are our feelings just chips in some negotiation!”

I knew Jared couldn’t accept the fact that I suddenly stopped loving him. But he had to, just like I couldn’t escape the pain he and Tracy put me through in my previous life.

“Honestly, if you could treat marriage like a business deal, things might be easier. When it’s over, you just cut your losses and walk away. We’re not kids anymore. If it fails once, it’ll probably fail the next time, and the time after that…”

I dropped my gaze, refusing to look at how pissed off he was. After saying that, I turned and headed back to my seat. As soon as I got back to the table, I noticed Clint giving me a look that was hard to ignore.

It was a man’s open admiration. With Jared still away, Clint didn’t even bother to hide it anymore.

Amy, meanwhile, acted like nothing was going on. She sipped her wine, gazing out the window with effortless grace.

“Mrs. Holcomb, your skin is amazing,” Clint said, grinning at me without looking away. “I’m in the beauty business, with companies all over the world. Here’s my VIP card. Please, take it as a gift.”

I accepted it politely and thanked him.

Amy glanced over at me, her smile faint. “Mrs. Holcomb, you have such an air of elegance. Money really does wonders. You look every bit the part of someone living in luxury. Mr. Holcomb certainly has an eye for quality, and you’re truly blessed.”

I never made a show of my looks, and compliments like these at social gatherings never meant much to me anyway.

“Where’s Mr. Holcomb? He’s been gone quite a while,” Amy suddenly remarked, feigning concern.

I kept eating quietly, and didn’t say a word.

“Hey, Clint, why don’t you go see what’s taking him so long? He did have a few drinks earlier,” Amy said, nudging Clint.

Just as Clint was about to get up, Jared walked back in. He’d already gotten his emotions under control. By the time he sat down, it was like all that earlier drama had never happened.

“Mr. Holcomb, did you go pay the bill? We were meant to treat you today,” Amy said with a smile.

Jared just smiled back. “It’s no big deal: Have a good time.”

I didn’t look at Jared, but I could tell he kept sneaking glances at me. He was very careful because he was afraid I’d catch him watching.