Chapter 212

Jared was suddenly acting all sensitive, and honestly, I wasn’t used to it. After all, he was always so gentle and calm, never losing his cool no matter what happened, and always gave off this distant vibe.

But now, he actually dared to yank out my power cord, turn off my TV, and even accuse me of things that never happened. I definitely wasn’t going to let him get away with it.

“Plug it back in,” I said seriously.

But Jared didn’t budge. He just frowned at me with emotions surging in his eyes. He said, “So you’re so determined to divorce me because of him? Is he chasing after you? You don’t even care about the money and just want out, because someone else is there to catch you?”

With every word, his emotions ramped up, until he was almost certain there was something shady between me and Nathan.

“Where’s your evidence? Show me the evidence,” I said, not even bothering to explain or argue. I hadn’t seen Nathan much, and even though I knew he had feelings for me, I’d never responded. I’d always kept my distance. The only time I’d almost kissed him in that elevator, was out of anger and wanting to get back at Jared.

“Victoria, is this your way of getting back at me?” Jared’s face twisted in pain. “How far have things gone between you two?”

“Can you not make a scene here? We’re just acquaintances,” I said, getting impatient.

Suddenly, Jared stepped right up to me, crouched down, and caged me in on the armchair with his arms. His voice was rough. “If this is just your way of getting back at me, I’ll let it go. Just cut all ties with him from now on, Victoria. Don’t do something you’ll regret just because of me.”

I stared at him, not understanding a word he said.

“Victoria, I have feelings for you, really. You’ve always had a place in my heart,” Jared murmured, suddenly pressing his face against my knees. I froze.

Jared rubbed his face against my skin, overwhelmed. “I’ve been thinking about when we were together. Back then, you were as passionate as a wild rose, and I was completely obsessed with you. Victoria, I’m serious, I won’t make the same mistakes again.”

I was no saint. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I instinctively tried to push him away. But Jared grabbed my hand, pulling me closer until I was pressed against his shoulder. Then, out of nowhere, he scooped me up and laid me across the couch, leaning over me. His intentions were clear.

On impulse, I sank my teeth into his neck. Jared winced, his dazed eyes slowly clearing.

Finally, he sat back and looked at me, a bitter smile on his face. “So now you can’t even stand me touching you?”

I straightened my clothes, which he’d messed up, and said in a flat and cold voice, “Jared, don’t be like this.”

Jared took a deep breath, stood up, opened the door, and left. He looked completely defeated.

I used to be the one desperately chasing after his love, doing everything I could just to make him notice me. But now, the tables had turned. What goes around comes around. Life was a cycle, and the fables always turned.

For some reason, I just felt this ache, like life was messing with me—always dumping stuff I never wanted on me, while everything I did want slipped right through my fingers.

I buried my face in my knees, thinking I’d break down sobbing, but my tears betrayed me. They just made my eyes wet, stubbornly refusing to fall.

Guess I wasn’t that sad. Fighting life never worked, anyway. Sometimes, letting things happen would bring its own kind of surprise.

I turned the TV back on. The interview was still going. By now, the main interview was over and it was almost time to wrap up. With a grin, the host asked Nathan if he was single.

A shy smile crept onto Nathan’s face as he nodded and admitted he was still single.