Two hours after being hooked up to an IV, it was finally over. I pressed my hand over the spot where the needle had been, staring blankly ahead.

Jared came over with my meds and said softly, “Let’s go. We’ll head back.”

I got up, feeling chilled to the bone. The coat I had on wasn’t keeping me warm at all.

Just then, a trench coat was gently draped over my shoulders. I froze for a second and glanced at Jared.

“Just wear it. Don’t complain,” he murmured, then led me toward the car.

“You’re this sick, and where’s your little boyfriend?” Jared sneered as we got into the car.

He took the opportunity to mock me as soon as we sat down.

I didn’t want to admit that Ryan and I had already broken up, so I just muttered, “He’s busy with work. I didn’t want to bother him.”

Jared let out a couple of dry laughs but didn’t say anything else.

When we got home, Jared told me to head upstairs first while he went out to pick up something to eat.

I obediently did as he said and went inside. Jared used to go everywhere with his assistant, but this time, he must’ve been in such a rush he didn’t even bring his driver along.

I sat at home, not liking how quiet it was, so I turned on the TV.

There was a girl group dancing on a variety show, and one of the girls had a pretty mixed-race face that looked familiar.

Then it hit me—it was Nathan’s sister.

I didn’t expect her to look so fresh and pretty on camera, and she was even standing in the center.

This girl really lucked out—with a big-shot brother supporting her and her own hard work, she’s bound to have a bright future.

I quickly flipped to another channel and landed on a wildlife show. The scenes of animals and nature had me glued to the screen. Maybe it’s time I actually gave Animal World a real watch.

Honestly, being an adult is no different—it’s all just survival of the fittest, jungle law, just like in the wild.

My phone rang in my bag, and I reached for it, thinking it was Jared calling to say he was back with food.

I picked up without even checking the caller ID, and a deep, husky male voice came through: “Vic, are you sick? Are you alright?”

The voice startled me so much I almost dropped my phone. I glanced at the screen–turns out, it was Ryan.

Before I could even get my emotions in check, I blurted out, “How did you know?”

Ryan lowered his voice and said, “Jared just called and totally ripped into me, said you were sick and I hadn’t even bothered to show up.”

I was totally caught off guard. Turns out, when Jared told me to go upstairs, he wasn’t just out getting food—he was actually calling Ryan to give him an earful.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t expect him to call you. I’m already feeling better,” I replied, my voice came out flustered.

“I’m the one who should apologize. Just make sure you rest,” Ryan let out a self-deprecating laugh.

“I will. Bye!” I blurted out, and before he could get another word in, I hung up.

When I noticed my fingers trembling, it suddenly hit me–I’d turned into an emotional deserter.

About ten minutes later, Jared came back.

He brought back some of my favorite light snacks, but his face was anything but happy as he walked in.

“Did Ryan call to apologize?” Jared asked, setting the food down on the table, hands on his hips, a clear look of annoyance on his face.

I turned to look at him, and for a moment, he was acting more like a protective dad or big brother than anything else.

Why is he meddling in my relationships like this?

“Jared, please don’t call Ryan again, okay?” I pleaded.

“What? You love him that much? Even when you’re sick, you can’t bear to ask him to take a day off?” Jared’s irritation only grew as he strode over to the couch, looming over me with a mocking look. “You’ve already been divorced once, and you’re still letting love cloud your judgment? When it comes to men, the only way to keep them in line is to make demands, tell them exactly what you want, and don’t just spoil them or let them off easy. Haven’t you suffered enough in your previous life?”

I was stunned. Was Jared seriously giving me tips on how to train a man?

“So… you knew all along how much I suffered in my previous life.” I shot him a resentful glare. “You just acted blind, played dumb, and watched me struggle in misery, didn’t you?”

Jared just stared at me, stunned for a moment, then sat down beside me, raking his fingers through his hair, clearly annoyed. “Of course I knew you were hurting. I was the one who put you through all that.”

I launched myself at him, all that pent-up frustration finally boiling over as I tried to slap him.

But instead of landing the hit, my hand, weak with emotion, accidentally hooked around his neck.

Jared: “…”

My face flushed red with anger, and while he was still frozen in shock, I finally managed to slap him across the face.

It wasn’t too hard or too soft–just right in the middle, not enough to really hurt.

Jared stared at me, totally confused. “Why are you hitting me? Ryan’s the one who ditched you when you were sick–he’s the one you should be slapping.”

“I’m hitting you,” I panted, still catching my breath. “For being the bastard who tormented me in my previous life.”

Jared’s lips curled into a wicked, teasing grin. “Oh, so you’re here to settle old scores from our previous life? Fine, hit me all you want. But with that kind of strength, it just feels like you’re trying to scratch an itch.”