I walked over to clean up the table, but Jared suddenly stood and came right up to me. His big hand pressed over mine, and his voice dropped. “So, you and Nathan? Is that a thing now?”
I pulled my hand out from under his and looked at him coldly. “What, you’re into digging into other people’s personal business now, too?”
“We’ve barely been divorced, and you’ve already moved on?” His voice sounded hurt, and the look in his eyes was nothing but disappointment.
I leaned against the table, staring at him like I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Before we even signed the divorce papers, you already had Tracy. I only started seeing someone afterward. I didn’t hurt anyone, and I didn’t cross any moral lines.”
Jared went completely still. I kept my head down, still cleaning, and gave a sharp, cold laugh. “When you screw up, it’s no big deal. But when I do something, it’s suddenly the end of the world? Jared, try being fair for once.”
He took a deep breath and leaned against the wall. “Nathan seems really into you. How’d that happen? Far as I know, you two haven’t known each other long.”
“So you’ve been checking up on us.” I honestly hadn’t thought he’d be this childish.
“I’m just worried you’ll get played.” His eyes locked on mine, dark and unblinking. “You’re not the calculating type, and you’re ridiculously pretty. You have to know some guys will try to take advantage of that.”
“I don’t need you showing up now, pretending to care.” I shook my head. “Relax. I’m not as easy to fool as I used to be.”
He let out a quiet laugh. “Come on, I know you. Calling you beautiful and kindhearted is just stating the truth.”
“So because I was kindhearted, you figured you could walk all over me for the six years we were married?” My gaze sharpened. “You knew exactly how to read me, so you could control me and keep me in check.”
His smile froze. “If kindness only gets me betrayed, maybe it’s time I learned how to play a little dirty too,” I said evenly.
“How dirty could you get? That good-girl upbringing is deep-rooted. Victoria, you can say you’ll change, but that doesn’t mean you will. Real bad people? You wouldn’t even notice them if they were right in front of you.” He sighed.
“Like you?” I shot back without hesitation. “You act all warm and understanding, but underneath, you’re all calculation. Everything’s about strategy and weighing the odds. Your interests always come first.”
His face tightened again. He gave an awkward little laugh. “So that’s all I am to you? A two-faced liar?”
“I never said you were bad. Actually, it’s people like you, smart and calculated, who make it to the top as predators. And I want to be like that too.” I spoke slowly and clearly, wiping the table as I went on.
“I know that kind of depth is something you’re born with. You can’t just decide to have it. Maybe I am slow, but there are things I still need to learn.”
Jared let out a sigh, his voice a little calmer. “Stop with that stuff. If you spend your time scheming against people, you might not end up any better yourself.”
“No. I’m not learning it to scheme against anyone. I’m learning it to protect myself. I’m done being fooled and used like some idiot,” I said, carrying the tableware into the kitchen.
To my surprise, Jared followed me right in. He leaned against the counter behind me and spoke softly, “Victoria, I screwed up before. If you hate me or resent me, I’ll take that.”
“What’s the point of bringing this up now?” I didn’t want to get into it with him.