I watched Jared’s back, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. “I don’t want to talk about this. Let’s focus on work,” I said.

Jared’s voice dropped, rough and low. “I knew this would happen.”

His weird comment made me stop in my tracks. “What do you mean?”

Jared finally stood up and turned to face me. His face was half in shadow, but his eyes were bright and clear. “Someone else will take you away from me.”

I froze, feeling like I was being treated like a piece of property.

Jared walked up to me, towering over me, sizing me up. “I wanted to keep you all to myself, hidden away so no one else would even know you existed. But now, everything’s spiraled out of control.”

“Jared, if you’re crazy, go see a doctor. Don’t use me for your entertainment,” I shot back, my anger flaring. In my last life, I let him hide me away, but when he got bored, he just went looking for someone else. So much for wanting to keep me – he just wanted to own me, then tossed me aside like I was nothing.

Jared took my rant in stride, not even getting mad. Instead, he actually laughed. “You’ve hitched your wagon to the Jennings family now. Who knows, you might end up way ahead of me. Maybe when I write my memoirs, I’ll have to mention my ex-wife who was out of my league…”

I almost laughed out of sheer frustration. I stood up from my chair, feeling tall in my heels. I used to look up to Jared, thinking he was untouchable. But now? Other than that cold, handsome face, he’s really not all that special.

“From your lips to God’s ears. Maybe one day my daughter will write in her essay about her confident, successful mom…”

Jared chuckled, but halfway through, he stopped and looked at me with a deep, lingering affection. “Victoria, maybe this is the real you – fun, vibrant, not meant to be kept on display like some ornament in a vase.”

I paused, then lowered my head to organize the papers in front of me. “If I’ve made it this far, I guess I owe you some credit. Every step in life matters. If meeting Ryan is my destination, then you were just the bridge I crossed to get there. Without you, I wouldn’t be who I am now.”

Jared’s expression shifted through a storm of emotions, like he’d just been slapped.

“I used to be your everything, your one true love, and now I’m just a bridge? Victoria, your heart changes faster than the weather in June,” he snapped, clearly pissed off.

“Women are always changing, that’s just how we are. You never really tried to understand me, Mr. Holcomb.” I hugged my papers and walked to the conference room door, opened it, and left.

The hotel’s exterior renovations were moving along quickly. We were actively seeking business partners and investors, and we’d already connected with several major local tour groups to set up long-term partnerships. It was one of the few projects that had shown real progress lately.

At noon, Jared invited everyone out for lunch at The Grand Heritage Hotel.

We were surrounded by all that old-school charm, and everyone was in high spirits. Glasses kept clinking, drinks kept coming, and the whole table was getting tipsy.

Jared was knocking back drinks, and I had a few myself. Once I started feeling it, I let my two team members take over for me and switched to tea.

Jared suddenly came over. “Hey, I want to chat about Nathan’s investment deal. You got a minute? I’m staying upstairs – let’s talk in my room.”

I shook my head. “Not happening. I’m buzzed, not talking shop.”

Jared leaned down and murmured in my ear, his voice low and teasing. “What’s wrong? Afraid I’ll make a move?”

I frowned and glared at him, whispering under my breath, “Jared, messing with your ex-wife is against the law, you know.”

Jared sobered up instantly, his face turning stormy as he slumped back into his seat.

I wasn’t about to indulge him anymore. We’d gone our separate ways – no more of this flirty nonsense.

After lunch, Jared invited me out again, this time for coffee in the afternoon.

Jared looked out at the view, those famous buildings right outside the window.

“Nathan’s agreed to let me buy in. How much are you thinking of investing? If you’re short on cash, I can spot you – no strings attached,” Jared said, crossing his legs, all business.

I shook my head. “No need. I’ll put in what I have. I’m not looking to make a killing.”