Chapter 38

I knew exactly what Jared was thinking. It was the same old double standard most men had: they wanted other men’s wives to dress sexy, but their own wives had to be proper and elegant. It was so hypocritical.

But I wasn’t about to give up what I liked just because Jared didn’t approve.

He’d never treated me badly in my previous life. He gave me everything I needed, except for love. But in this life, I chose not to love him. I wanted to reclaim the part of myself I’d lost, and he couldn’t control me anymore.

“Forget it. Just stay at the company for now,” Jared said. He saw I was about to move out, but of course, he wouldn’t let me.

The delicious lunch was brought to the table. To my surprise, Jared had actually ordered my favorite dishes: braised chicken and beef Wellington. I stared at the plates in shock and then looked at him in disbelief.

Unexpectedly, Jared avoided my eyes and said in a light tone, “Let’s dig in.”

I picked up my fork, took a slow bite, and then said softly, “Not bad at all.”

When Jared saw the look of pleasure on my face, he couldn’t help but chuckle. “You used to eat at home all the time. No wonder you haven’t really tried so much good food outside.”

I couldn’t refute that. He was right. Back then, I was determined to be the ultimate supermom. There was no way I could possibly let my kids eat out every day.

Most of the time, I handled everything in the kitchen myself. Sometimes, I would even spend the whole day perfecting a single dish.

“Thanks for the meal, honey,” I said with a smile.

In Jared’s eyes, I was just a sheltered woman, shut off from the world, the type who would light up at the smallest act of kindness.

If that was what he believed, I was okay with it. I just needed to play my part and say what I was supposed to say.

Anyway, he’d ask for a divorce sooner or later. Tracy wouldn’t wait around forever. Maybe in a few months, she and Jared might have their first child.

If Tracy really did get an abortion for Yvonne or to focus on her career, I’d honestly have to give her some credit. I’d admire her for being willing to sacrifice everything just to win a man’s sympathy and attention, no matter the cost.

Sometimes, I had to admit that Tracy was a real badass. With her determination, she could achieve anything.

But I wasn’t going to follow her lead. I was done hurting myself for a man, and I was done bottling up my feelings just to make a guy happy.

After lunch, Jared paid the bill and asked, “Are you going out again this afternoon?”

“Yeah, I still need to discuss some design stuff with them later,” I replied.

“Do you even know anything about this?” Jared asked, clearly thinking I was just a rookie who always needed him to make decisions.

“I know a little,” I said. I’d already submitted my design ideas and plans, and most of the next steps would be adjusted based on my requirements.

“Alright then, looking forward to your masterpiece,” Jared said, not interfering further before heading back to the office.

That evening, I was still working in the bedroom when Jared came in holding his phone. He said, “It’s Yvonne. Do you want to talk to her?”

Without looking up, I said, “No, don’t bother. She’s not calling for me anyway.”

Jared went back to his study to keep chatting with Yvonne. A few minutes later, he came back and leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, clearly annoyed.

“Victoria, you’re an adult. Why are you stooping to a kid’s level? She’s your precious daughter, and you won’t even talk to her or care what she’s up to. Since when did you get so heartless?” Jared grumbled, just like I expected.