Chapter 352
Jared’s warm expression from just moments ago froze over in an instant.
I stood in the hallway, answering the call. Nathan’s deep voice came through. “Where are you?”
I told him I was out having dinner with Yvonne.
“Are you coming home tonight?” he asked.
“Yeah, I am. You wanna come over?” I asked with a smile.
Nathan’s voice was a little husky. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
“Yeah, see you tonight,” I replied.
As I turned around with my phone still in hand, I spotted Jared standing a short distance behind me, a pack of cigarettes and a lighter in his hand. I guessed Jared must’ve heard me making plans with Nathan.
“Are you leaving now?” Jared asked.
I shook my head. “No rush. Let’s finish dinner first.”
With that, I headed back toward the private room. As I passed Jared, he suddenly grabbed my arm. “Just tell me–are you actually serious about him, or are you just messing around?”
I froze for a second, then yanked my arm away. “I don’t owe you any answers.”
Jared looked genuinely hurt. “I know you don’t trust marriage anymore. You just want a guy to fill that space. Victoria, I could do that. We don’t have to get married again–let’s just keep things casual, have some fun together.”
“Have you lost it?” I blurted out, totally shocked. “Don’t tell me you’re actually getting serious about this. Jared, wake up. Go have your fun–there are plenty of amazing women around you who’d be way better for you than me.”
Jared leaned against the wall, tilting his head back a little. His jawline was sharp, Adam’s apple standing out as he shot me a look and swallowed–his throat moving in a way that was almost distracting.
“If I hook up with them, I know we’ll never have another shot,” Jared said, sadness flickering in his eyes. “Just thinking about never being with you again… I can’t make peace with that.”
I stared at him, wide-eyed. “What is it about me that you’re still hung up on? All these years together, you never really showed you loved me that much.”
“I just can’t let it go,” Jared said, locking eyes with me. “And it aroused my possessiveness.”
“Even if you never get involved with another woman, it’s still over between us,” I said, then pushed open the door and walked back into the private room.
Jared stepped out for a smoke.
Yvonne was sitting inside, looking a bit lost. When she saw me walk in, her face instantly brightened with a smile.
“Mom, Dad left too, and it was a little scary being by myself,” Yvonne said, suddenly scooting over to me.
I patted her shoulder to comfort her. “Be brave, okay?”
“Mom, no matter what happens between you and Dad, I don’t like the idea of him being with another woman,” Yvonne said, looking up at me. “Grandma’s trying to set him up on dates again.”
I paused for a second. She really thought she could keep Jared from ever getting remarried—such a sweet, naive kid.
“Yvonne, let’s just see how things go. Your dad’s still young; he can’t stay single forever,” I said, trying to ease her worries.
“But…” Yvonne pouted. “I still think you’re the most beautiful woman. None of those other ladies can compare to you.”
I chuckled softly. “Really? You think I’m beautiful?”
“Yeah, Dad said you used to be a total knockout,” Yvonne said with all seriousness.
A little wave of emotion rippled through me, but I quickly pushed the feeling aside. Jared had gone after me hard back then, all because of my looks, so it’s no wonder he still thinks I’m attractive.
Jared came back from his smoke, settled the bill, and since I was meeting up with Nathan afterward, I said my goodbyes to him and Yvonne at the restaurant entrance.
That look Jared gave me as I left haunted me for a long time. It was pain, unwillingness, and helplessness all tangled together–his eyes were red, burning with an emotion he just couldn’t hide.