Chapter 382

It didn’t hit me at first, but the buzz snuck up on me later. I started feeling lightheaded and decided to skip going back to the office.

So, I asked my assistant to drive me home.

She was fresh out of college, and when she saw my Mercedes, her hands were literally shaking. “Ms. Murphy, I only got my license last semester. I’m not sure I can handle a car like this.”

I didn’t want to make things awkward for her, so I figured I’d just call a cab instead.

Just then, Jared walked over and said, “Heading home? I can give you a ride.”

“Thanks, but I’m good,” I said, brushing him off.

“Come on, it’s not safe for you to take a cab like this,” Jared insisted, his eyes flicking down to my collar.

I was honestly a little self-conscious about my chest. Other women could wear a shirt and look effortlessly slim and chic, but me? If I wasn’t careful, I’d risk popping a button. I always had to pay extra attention.

After a couple of seconds of hesitation, I decided to just take Jared’s car home.

In the car, Jared looked me over. “Every time you drink, your face turns red. Try not to drink so much next time.”

“Who can avoid drinking at business dinners?” I replied coolly. “Practice makes perfect–eventually you can handle it.”

“Now that you know how hard it is to make it on your own, do you ever regret striking out?” Jared asked in a low voice.

“Not at all,” I said, shaking my head. “I just wish I’d started sooner. I should’ve gone back to work years ago.”

Jared’s face clouded over. Somehow, no matter what, we always ended up circling back to those years I spent as a bored housewife.

I pressed myself against the far side of the seat, leaning back and closing my eyes to rest.

Jared didn’t say much either. We’d already had that big talk yesterday, and it ended on a pretty sour note.

When we pulled up to my place, Jared got out and walked around to open my door.

“Let me walk you up,” he said in a low, husky voice.

“No need, thanks for the ride,” I said, turning him down gently.

Just as I was about to leave, Jared reached out and caught my wrist, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “So, have you thought about what I suggested yesterday?”

I blinked, thrown off. ‘Did he not hear a word I said yesterday? Was he even listening?’

“I don’t need that much money. You should save it for your daughter,” I shot him a fake smile.

Jared’s handsome face went rigid for a moment.

Just then, a black sedan pulled up not far away, and to my surprise, Nathan stepped out.

Jared and I both spotted him. Nathan looked totally worn out, but he still walked over with unwavering resolve.

As soon as I saw him coming, I yanked my wrist free from Jared’s grip. Jared’s face instantly turned sour.

Nathan gave me a melancholy look. “Victoria, there’s still things between us we haven’t cleared up.”

Jared, standing off to the side, sneered, “Nathan, watch your boundaries.”

Nathan’s brows furrowed as he shot Jared a cold look. “And what about your boundaries, Mr. Holcomb? Didn’t you two get divorced? Why do I keep seeing you around her?”

“She’s the mother of my child,” Jared replied coolly, instantly putting Nathan in his place.

I watched this war of words with my head spinning and couldn’t help but speak up. “Alright, don’t fight over me. Just go home, both of you.”

“Victoria, you’ve had too much to drink. Let me help you upstairs,” Nathan said, reaching out to support me.

I took a step back, but ended up stepping on Jared’s shoe and almost lost my balance.

Jared reached out and pulled me close, steadying me with his arm around my waist. He shot Nathan a look and said, “No need for you to trouble yourself, I’ll take care of her.”

Nathan’s eyes burned with anger, and Jared, refusing to back down, tightened his hold on my waist.

People walking by started to glance over, clearly curious about the scene unfolding.

Mortified, I quickly stepped away from Jared and snapped, “I’m not drunk! Stop making a scene and just leave, both of you.”

Nathan stared at me, eyes full of urgency, like he had a thousand things he wanted to tell me.

Jared’s face was stone cold–even an idiot could see I wasn’t picking him right now, and so could he.

Things were painfully awkward.

The afternoon sun was beating down, heat rising off me. I was honestly afraid these two would actually come to blows, so I forced myself to push through the dizziness and tried to get them both to leave.

Just then, three black cars pulled up and parked right in front of Jared’s car.

I blinked; something about those cars definitely rang a bell.

Sure enough, the door of the middle car opened, and Ryan stepped out, mask on, holding a bouquet of roses.