The question caught me off guard. So, Jared did have insecurities after all. I feigned ignorance. “Better at what, exactly?”

I could practically hear him grinding his teeth. “You said before there was no comparison. Now there is.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “The fact that you’re asking already tells you the answer, doesn’t it?”

The line went quiet again. I was growing impatient. This back-and-forth wasn’t like him. He’d never been one for drawn-out emotional tug-of-war.

“If you still want me at that meeting, I’ll come. But this is the last time you put a finger in my personal business.” My voice left no room for negotiation.

He exhaled, defeat creeping into his tone. “Fine. Be here.”

On the way to the hotel, I turned Jared’s behavior over in my mind. His petty questions, his sudden insecurity… Maybe this was just his way of processing the end of our marriage.

Typical male ego, really. For men like him, self-worth was either tied to their careers or… well, other areas of pride.

The meeting dragged on until 9:30 PM. Jared, clearly in a foul mood, kept excusing himself to step outside for a smoke.

I noticed it too. The way his eyes glazed over was like he’d been hollowed out. Every time his gaze fixed on some distant point, he’d push back his chair and step out of the conference room, only returning after a few minutes alone.

The meeting determined our next steps. It looked like I’d be staying in Shaville long-term. My role was solidified: I’d continue overseeing the hotel’s renovations while also assembling a new management team.

The work electrified me in a way I’d never experienced before. This was more than just adrenaline; it was passion. For the first time, I felt like every effort I made was building toward something meaningful, something that would help me grow.

Back when my world revolved solely around my family, I’d never felt this way. Back then, my vision had been narrow, limited to just my husband and child.

Men saw the world as their domain, with family as just one part of their grand plan.

After the main meeting, I gathered my soon-to-be subordinates for another half-hour discussion, laying out our immediate priorities.

By the time we wrapped up, it was past 10 PM. Most of us hadn’t eaten dinner yet, so we headed down to the hotel’s buffet. Hunger gnawed at me, and I decided to join them.

But as I stepped into the hallway, a tall figure blocked my path.

Jared stood there in a gray shirt, the top buttons undone, exuding a careless, almost reckless aura. “Congratulations,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “On taking this bold new step.”

I smiled coolly. “Mr. Holcomb, do us both a favor and speak plainly.”

He stiffened, caught off guard by my sharpness. Once upon a time, he’d been the one demanding “speak plainly.” Funny how things changed. Clear communication was always key, something he’d taught me himself.

“New city, new job, new team.” His lips twisted into a bitter smirk. “And new men. How ironic, Victoria. You’ve been full of surprises lately. Hard to tell which ones are pleasant and which are just shocking.”

I listened calmly before replying, “You find it shocking because you never imagined I’d actually walk away.”

Jared flinched. “You’re right,” he admitted, his voice rough. “I thought about us starting fresh, giving you money, affection. But I never planned for an ending.”