Chapter 56

Jared had a point. Maybe I was being greedy, wanting it all. But everyone paid for their choices.

In our six years of marriage, Jared gave me luxury, making me forget what money was worth. But as a woman, torn by thirty years of pain and dying from illness, I wouldn’t go through this again.

I wanted more than just cash. I needed a fresh start.

Jared saw I wasn’t saying anything. He probably thought he’d crushed my crazy ideas. From now on, I’d just be Mrs. Holcomb, ignoring his cheating. He wanted it all: a wife at home and pretty lovers outside, both sides playing it cool and keeping quiet.

That was Jared’s dream life. I couldn’t share my husband with other women unless I was the one who gained.

Jared persuaded me, “Victoria, we’ve been married six years, not six months. That passion and romance you’re after, it’s not that I won’t give it, but we don’t need all that. Let’s live quietly and raise Yvonne.

“If you’re bored, we could have another kid. To avoid the pain, we can do IVF. You can even have two sons if you want.”

“No way.” Hearing that, I felt like an invisible hand squeezed my throat, making it hard to breathe.

Yvonne had already turned my life upside down. Two more sons would be a total disaster for me. The Holcomb family needed an heir—that was their problem. I just wanted to get a divorce and have my own life.

Jared squinted, clearly pissed by my answer. “Stop causing a scene, alright? Keep this up, and you’re just being childish.” He sounded really disappointed in me.

“Sorry…” I slammed on the brakes and pulled over, my voice tight with hurt. “I know I was too greedy, or maybe I’m just naive, but I really feel like our marriage is falling apart. Jared, I’m not saying you’re bad. You’re great, but I-”

“Victoria, that’s enough!” Jared shouted, angry, afraid I’d say “divorce” again. “I gave you Harmonia Hotel to run. I compromised. Isn’t that the career you wanted? I really liked the design you showed me last time. You’re talented, so do you still want a divorce?”

My eyes bugged out in shock, and I just stared at him, lost for words.

Jared glared at me, his eyes deep and angry. “If we split up, you lose your job. And if you ask for a divorce, I might not let you keep the kid or give you much stuff.”

I looked at Jared and realized how scary he could be. He didn’t love me anymore. He said I shouldn’t dream of romance, and I knew it was because Tracy gave him that.

They left love signs everywhere, but he kept me stuck in this dead marriage, not letting go. Jared was selfish. He enjoyed wild passion but trapped me.

But he did remind me: divorce meant losing my job and probably not getting much stuff. I needed Harmonia Hotel as a stepping stone. Once I got more skills and experience, I wouldn’t be scared of future challenges. Now was not the time to talk about divorce.

“Sorry, I didn’t think it through,” I said, getting the car back on track.

Jared was mad. He crossed his arms and stared straight ahead, looking really stern.

Not divorcing was okay, as long as I kept my feelings in check. I would stop expecting surprises or gifts from him, and wouldn’t ask when he was coming home. We would just live like strangers, close but far apart.

At lunch, Sally urged me to have another kid, but Yvonne threw a fit, so Sally shut up.

Seeing Yvonne refusing to eat, Jared reassured her, “Okay, Yvonne, Mom and I won’t have a baby now.”

“And never ever!” Yvonne said, clenching her fists, tears in her eyes.

Sally laughed, “Honey, you’re too young to be so bossy. The Holcomb family needs a son to take over your dad’s business later.”

“I can take over,” Yvonne snapped, angry.

I added calmly, “Didn’t you say women should stay home and take care of kids, not have jobs?”

Yvonne went bright red, silenced by what I said. That was how she always treated me. “I’m not like you; your parents can’t help, so you have to stay home and take care of the kids,” Yvonne shot back, feeling irritated.

Jared scowled, “Alright, Yvonne, shut up. Let’s eat.”

After dinner, Sally took Yvonne off, and I went to the office with Jared.

That night, Tracy threw a dinner for the bosses. She booked a fancy private karaoke room. Around a dozen managers sat on the couch, sipping wine. I didn’t want to go, but Jared made me.

Tracy looked annoyed. To tick her off, I went anyway.

Jared was quiet and hated parties, so while others sang, he just sipped coffee.

Tracy, though, was all lively. Someone played an Englysian love song. Tracy walked over and handed Jared the mic. “Mr. Holcomb, let’s sing!”

Jared didn’t even look at me. He just stood up with the mic.

Tracy smiled sweetly. She noticed me and asked deliberately, “Mrs. Holcomb, you don’t mind if I sing with Mr. Holcomb, do you?”

I smiled right away, “Not at all. I’ve never heard him sing. I’m curious.”

Jared gave me a weird look and said nothing.

Then they sang their love song duet. They sang in perfect Englysian, full of feeling. Jared’s voice was incredible, deep, magnetic, totally charming.

It was the first time I’d ever heard him sing. I never knew he was this good. I couldn’t help but feel sad.

Every time Tracy sang, she looked at Jared softly, all admiring and loving.

I was better-looking than her, but I was hopeless with men. I was too blunt, too direct, no feminine charm. I just wanted to be a good wife.

Jared clearly loved Tracy’s soft stare. His face went red—maybe from the drinks, maybe from being stirred up.

I had seen that look before, like sometimes in bed. But Tracy got him to show it with just one song. That was impressive.

I was munching away, head down. When they finished, the room went quiet. I clapped first and said, “Honey, you sang great!”