Chapter 197

My dad asked calmly, “Did he really have an affair?”

I shook my head. “I don’t know for sure, but emotionally, he definitely cheated.”

My mom let out a helpless sigh. “Honestly, when you two got married, I was worried. I always had a feeling your marriage wouldn’t last. Jared’s just too handsome, with his career going so well, and he’s got that charm. Guys like him don’t even have to go looking; women just flock to them.”

My dad nodded. “Rich men deal with temptations we can’t even imagine. Jared managed to hold out this long before messing up. Well, at least he tried to keep it together for a while.”

I froze, staring at my parents. “So you both saw this coming? You knew I’d have to face this kind of karma?”

They shared a glance and then nodded together. “Yeah, we were always worried Jared wasn’t someone you could truly count on. We’ve even thought about what you’d do after the divorce.”

My dad started laughing. “Your mom’s already set you up for a blind date. It’s with a college professor from her circle. He’s divorced, too, and honestly, he’s got a pretty sharp look.”

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing, half amused, half exasperated. My parents were such schemers.

My mom elbowed my dad, shooting him a look to shut him up. “Victoria, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just follow your own heart and do things your way. You only live once, so live in a way that makes you happy. Your dad and I are old enough to see what really matters. Money and status are important, but if you’re unhappy, it really hurts us,” my mom said softly, trying to comfort me.

I remembered how my parents had tried to get me to see things clearly. They told me not to treat love like it was the only thing that mattered, and that if Jared wanted a divorce, I should just let him go.

But I was stubborn. I believed he’d come back to me, and I just wouldn’t let go, no matter what.

But now, I’ve finally come around. With my parents behind me, I felt like I had all the confidence and strength I needed to take on every glitch and curveball this world could throw at me.

“Alright, Dad, Mom, I’m really sorry you had to come all this way here. Trust me, I’m not losing my mind here. I’ve thought this through, and this isn’t some impulsive move or me trying to use divorce to get back at anyone,” I said with a smile, hoping to reassure them.

Hearing that, they looked a little less troubled, and I could tell my words helped ease their worries.

While we were eating, my phone buzzed with a bunch of texts. I glanced at them. They were all from Quinn, and every single one was packed with insults, ripping me to shreds.

Right away, I took screenshots of all her messages and sent them straight to Jared so he could see for himself just how “talented” Quinn was at trash-talking.

Not long after, Jared called. I picked up my phone and said to my parents, “I’ll step outside to take this.”

They looked at me with concern, but I gave them a reassuring smile. Stepping out into the hallway, I picked up the call. His voice was hoarse. “She’s still young. She doesn’t really get it. She was just mad. Don’t let it get to you.”

He was just unbelievable. I was fed up with his excuses. I didn’t bother sugarcoating it. “Jared, you keep saying she’s young and clueless, but she’s in her twenties now! Seriously, she’s been through college and still can’t tell right from wrong! How old does she have to be before she finally grows up?”