I totally shut Jared down. He couldn’t even get a word out. He just slumped over the steering wheel, sulking in dead silence.

After a long, thoughtful pause, Jared finally spoke up, his voice steady and calm. "Look, divorce isn’t something we can just rush into. We have to sit down with both our families and talk it through. Plus, I’m running a public company. My personal life is under the microscope, and a stable marriage is crucial for the company’s image. Victoria, can we hold off on the divorce for now? If you feel like you’re getting the short end of the stick, we can get a notarized agreement. I’ll give you 4% of the company’s shares. That way, you’ll officially be a shareholder and get a cut of the profits every year."

My mind started racing. Four percent of the shares was a fortune. Jared was actually offering me a piece of his business just to keep the marriage going.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. "I get that you need to keep your personal life clean for the company’s sake, but we signed a prenup, remember? When we get divorced, that agreement will still be legally binding. I don’t think it’ll affect your business."

“It’s not that simple,” Jared said, his tone firm. “I’m a higher-up at the company. There shouldn’t be any mess in my personal life. Just give me two more years. Once the company’s stable, I promise I'll agree to the divorce.”

I frowned at him.

Jared looked back at me, his gaze growing distant. “Once we’re divorced, we’ll be strangers for the rest of our lives. Whatever happens to you after that is none of my business, right?”

I stared at him in surprise. He was actually thinking about what came after. I gave him a small smile. “I don’t want to think about the future. I only care about the present."

Jared’s eyes grew dim. He quietly steered us back onto the main road and said, “Just give me six months. I promise to give you a proper answer."

Six months was not so long. At least it was better than two years.

“I’ll handle the stock transfer. You’ll get the shares from me. Think of it as compensation for all these years,” Jared said, slipping back into his usual calm.

“So, I’ll actually be a shareholder?” I couldn’t help but be surprised. For once, Jared was actually showing some heart.

“Yeah. Once you have the shares, you can come to the shareholder meetings. At least then, I have a reason to see you,” Jared said, giving a self-mocking smile.

“Are your family okay with you giving me the shares?” I asked. I wasn’t really worried about Jared changing his mind, but honestly, just the thought of his family flipping out over the divorce and splitting the shares was enough to give me a headache.

“This is my decision, I don’t need anyone’s approval,” Jared said, his voice low and firm.

“Alright, then,” I said. Six months—I could handle that.

Jared looked like he finally let out a breath he’d been holding. He dropped me off at my destination and then pulled away.

Harmonia Hotel was all spruced up. The exterior was almost finished, and the front looked brand new. If Jared were handing me those shares, I figured he’d keep me running the hotel, too. So, chances were, we’d still cross paths at work…

I honestly had no clue how those people in novels managed to cut ties and get divorced like it was nothing. For me, breaking free from Jared was way harder than it sounded.

Our relationship and careers were all tangled up together. If I ever tried to break free, I’d probably be totally lost, not knowing what to do.

Guess I’d just get to work. No way I’d say no to money. Even after the divorce, I’d still be working for Jared. And if I wanted to date someone new, it's not like he’d dare butt in.