“I don’t want that. I don’t want Mom to go far away. Grandma, please, I’m begging you. Stop picking on Mom,” Yvonne burst into tears.

Sally’s voice was stiff. “Jared, don’t be so pathetic. Do you think forcing her to stay at the company will make her fall for you again? Didn’t she have someone new last time?”

Jared didn’t say anything. Sally sneered, “She is ruthless. You know she’s got someone new now; why would she ever want you back?”

“Mom, as long as you don’t stir things up, I’ll bring her back,” Jared said, exhausted.

“Come back? I’ve been spreading rumors about her, and she must hate me now! Why would she ever come back?” Sally’s voice shot up. “She’s never coming back. Quit dreaming.”

“We still have Yvonne,” Jared clung to hope like a lifeline. “She’s Yvonne’s mom. She couldn’t be that cold.”

Suddenly, Yvonne jumped up and dashed upstairs, but then she started crying out loud. “Mom, I fell. My knee hurts so much.”

Hearing that, I felt my mind go blank. It wasn’t until Yvonne cried out that I snapped back to reality. Jared’s words sent a chill down my spine. He’d schemed all along to trap me at the company. He really was cunning.

“Mom, are you still here? Did you hear what Dad and Grandma just said?” Yvonne whispered.

“I heard,” I said.

“Mom, Dad still loves you,” Yvonne said, sounding genuinely happy about it.

I replied coolly, “I don’t love him anymore, Yvonne. Does that make you hate me?”

Yvonne’s voice wavered, on the verge of tears. “I wouldn’t dare hate you. I’m scared you’ll stop talking to me again.”

“Just think it over, Yvonne. Human nature is complicated, and you’ll have to learn that kindness between people works both ways,” I reminded her.

“Okay, Mom, I get it. Gotta go. Dad’s coming upstairs,” Yvonne blurted out and ended the call in a hurry.

I grabbed a red wine bottle, poured half a glass, and leaned back on the couch. My mind was clearer than ever.

Jared’s words showed a lot of what he thought; he said he’d never find another woman who looked at him like that. I couldn’t believe he actually said something so laughable.

People only realized the value of something once it was gone, but that happiness they once felt never came back. He said I couldn’t even scheme. It was impossible. I had always been a top student; of course, I knew how to get what I wanted.

I didn’t want to let any self-interest pollute that pure love between us. We did love each other, once. People said never to get blinded by love, like gamblers who always thought they would win.

Everyone wanted to win, but who was meant to lose? If one lost, the wise thing was to let go quickly. Otherwise, they’d get stuck for the rest of their lives.

Jared and I only walked side by side for a stretch of the road. When that part ended, it was time to move on.

Every stop offered a different view, and regret was the last thing I needed.

He tried to tie me down with his business, but I used this place as a stepping stone to grow stronger. He had his schemes, and I had my plans. But what he didn’t realize was, I was already a kite with a broken string.

My phone buzzed with a text. It was from Ryan, who I hadn’t heard from in ages. He’d snapped a few casual photos of himself, lounging in a dimly lit corner, wearing a burgundy shirt and sunglasses. The light fell on his handsome face, giving him an indescribable vintage vibe, both alluring and mysterious.

“[Victoria Murphy, how’s it going?]” he texted, actually using my full name now.

“[It’s only been a few days, but I already kinda miss you. What am I supposed to do?]” Ryan texted, with that usual laid-back swagger.

“[Deal with it,]” I shot back.