Chapter 60

The accusation hit like a slap. I shot up from the bed, fury burning through me. The hypocrisy! I clutched the blanket tighter, but it kept slipping, leaving my skin exposed under his gaze. His eyes darkened as we stared each other down, neither of us backing away.

“Me?” My voice shook. “You’re questioning my loyalty? What about you, Jared? Are you cheating?”

For a second, he just looked at me, blank. “So you believe those office rumors about me and Tracy?”

“If you knew they were spreading, why didn’t you shut them down?” My throat tightened. “Fine. If you don’t love me anymore, I can accept that. But I won’t tolerate your distrust.” Tears pricked at my eyes, and anger surged.

Jared acted like my anger was ridiculous. Instead of addressing the Tracy situation, he hit me with something worse. “I’m clear. But even if there was something between me and Tracy, maybe you should ask yourself why.”

He meant this was all my fault? The words turned my blood to ice. I glared at him, my vision swimming with tears. “If you don’t love me anymore, just say it. Don’t feed me excuses.”

“Yeah, I lost myself—clung to you like some desperate fool. My crime? Loving you and our child so much that I forgot I existed outside of you. But don’t worry. That’s over now.”

Jared frowned. “At least you see the issue. But drop the jealousy. Tracy and I are nothing but professional.”

“Oh, really?” A bitter laugh tore from my throat. “Professional? Then why the love songs? Why the lingering looks?”

“Victoria, when are you going to let this go?” His patience snapped. “I’m giving you some space.” With that, he walked out, leaving the room in suffocating silence.

I stared at the tangled sheets, replaying his words. If I wasn’t obedient, he took it as proof I didn’t love him. Jared was always this sharp. And this time, he was right. I didn’t love him anymore.

The next morning, I headed downstairs for breakfast. Jared was already on the sofa, flipping through documents, when Tracy walked in. She handed him some papers along with his freshly pressed shirt and suit jacket.

“Good morning, Mrs. Holcomb,” she greeted me, her smile polite but with just a little too much sweetness. “Mr. Holcomb and I have a ten-thirty flight to Aurelia. Do you mind if I grab some breakfast before we go?”

I returned her smile, just as polished. “Of course not. Help yourself.”

Wendy, our housekeeper, shot me a glance with a flicker of sympathy. Women always knew. Even she could see Tracy wasn’t here just for the coffee. And Jared had to know it too.

Last night, he swore nothing was going on between them. But this trip? The perfect opportunity for that to change.

“Thanks, Mrs. Holcomb. You’re always so considerate,” Tracy said, sliding into a chair and digging in like she owned the place.

I took a slow sip of my nut milk. “No need for flattery, Tracy. I’m not that easygoing. I don’t pretend to understand everyone’s intentions.”

Her smile faltered, and she shot Jared a wounded look. But he was too buried in his files to notice our little exchange.

“Oh, and Mrs. Holcomb,” Tracy added, all fake helpfulness, “Mr. Holcomb got a stain on his shirt and suit last time. I hand-washed them for him. Maybe you could take care of them properly later?”

“Of course, Tracy. How thoughtful of you.” I nodded, and then deliberately raised my voice. “Honestly, you’d make some man a wonderful wife someday.”

Jared’s head snapped up, his eyes locking onto mine.