I pulled my hand away and hid it behind my back. I said coldly, “That’s because you weren’t the one who got betrayed. You didn’t get hurt, so of course you think anything’s possible. But let me ask you—if I really slept with Ryan, would you ever take me back?”

Jared’s eyes flickered with shock. He demanded, “Did you really sleep with him?”

I shook my head and sneered, “See? I was just making a point, and you’re already pissed. You can’t even stand the idea, so don’t stand there telling me to be the bigger person.”

Jared said, “I know you’re lying to me. But you don’t have to lower yourself like this.”

“He’s younger than you, and better looking. If anything, I’m the one coming out ahead—how is that degrading myself?” I retorted with a sneer.

Jared gritted his teeth, clearly at a loss for what to do with me.

I said coolly, “I’m hungry. I’m going to get some breakfast. Just go.”

Jared said, “I’m not leaving.” He then suddenly pulled me into a fierce hug, burying his face in my hair. He muttered, “Victoria, come back to me, please?”

“I’m not coming back, Jared. Clinging like this is beneath you,” I reminded him.

Jared froze, but then he said, “What good is my status if I don’t have you?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at how desperate he was. Jared, always so proud, was acting like a total simp. I said, “Jared, have you ever thought about it? If we stay together, the Holcomb family will never know peace again.”

Then I shoved him away and added, “Your family will never accept me, and I’ve already had a public falling out with them.”

Jared looked at me, stunned, as if he’d just been slapped back into reality.

I continued, “So, for the sake of family harmony, go marry someone your mom approves of.” With that, I turned away before he could say anything.

This time, Jared didn’t try to stop me. Maybe he finally realized that love might be just between two people, but marriage was never just about two people—it was about both families. He wasn’t about to throw caution to the wind and go against his family just for me. Men were always more practical—they always thought long-term.

And now, I needed to learn to be just as practical.

When I got home, Ryan came over to me, worry written all over his face.

“Why are you here?” I asked as I closed the door behind me.

“I just thought I’d bring you some breakfast,” Ryan replied softly.

“I’m not a kid, Ryan. I can just go downstairs and grab breakfast myself,” I said, arching an eyebrow playfully.

Ryan said, “I know, but I just wanted to do it for you.”

I glanced at him, and he ducked his head, suddenly bashful, unable to meet my eyes.

I had these bedroom eyes that always seemed to brim with feeling. Sometimes I wasn’t even trying to flirt—they were just misleading, and it never worked out well for anyone.

“Thanks,” I said softly, then went to boil some water and fix Ryan a cup of morning coffee. I sat down and started on the breakfast he’d brought over.

“Have you eaten yet?” I asked him.

Ryan shook his head and said, “Nope, I was hoping to eat with you.”

He was so pure, not yet jaded by the world. Everything he said was honest and adorable, and being around him was just so refreshing. I could finally understand a bit of what Jared must have felt—there was always something exciting about someone new.

“Come on, sit down and eat with me,” I said.

Ryan beamed and sat down.

Just then, my phone buzzed with a text. I glanced at it—it was from Jared. I couldn’t believe he was still sending me a love confession after everything that just happened.

The message read: [Victoria, my feelings for you haven’t faded—they’re only growing stronger. Please, don’t get involved with him yet. I’ll convince my family.]