Chapter 825

Jared’s last words cracked me up. I couldn’t help but let my mind wander for a moment.

If a woman got to choose, most of the time she’d go for someone a bit younger.

But that was not a dealbreaker for me. It was just that, on this speeding train called life, when I glance back, Ryan wasn’t far behind–and he was the one willing to stick with me and watch the scenery roll by.

I shot back at Jared with a grin, “Hey, the younger ones are great for emotional support. What's wrong with me being a bit shallow for once?”

As soon as I replied, he called me right away.

I thought for a couple seconds, then picked up.

“Victoria, with you and Edward… you sure he doesn’t care? Aren’t you afraid he’s only back for revenge, that once he’s had enough he’ll just kick you to the curb?” Jared’s words were a tangled mess of jealousy and concern.

His words felt like a needle stabbing straight into my heart.

“Enough, don’t try to come between me and him. We’re just getting started here—I can’t handle you stirring things up already,” I said, frustrated.

“Can’t you just move on? Apparently, you’ve had suitors lining up these past two years. Don’t tell me none of them can measure up to Ryan,” Jared sneered.

He wasn’t wrong. In these past couple of years, I’d had plenty of admirers orbiting around me–some tried to play it cool and test the waters, others just laid their feelings bare. I was always out of reach, and they weighed every move, careful not to overstep. The moment they sensed my coldness, they’d bow out with dignity.

I wasn’t some ornamental vase sitting pretty on a pedestal anymore, just waiting to be chosen.

The tables had turned–they were the ones waiting, hoping I’d pick them instead.

“Jared, I spent my whole previous life devoted to you—till the very end. Maybe that’s why I started to rebel when it came to love, wanting attention from better men, hoping for more. But after trying out a few choices, I realized love isn’t all there is to life. You brought up Edward–he’s got his own path now, and we’re staying out of each other’s way. Ryan doesn’t care about that, and it’s up to him. If one day he tells me he does, I’ll respect that. You need inner strength to take on everything the world throws at you, but when it comes to love, it has to be between equals. Only then is it truly worth having.”

“Victoria, bumping into you again this lifetime… guess it’s just a damned fate,” Jared said, a sad chuckle in his voice. “I thought heaven was giving me another chance to love you, but maybe it’s only letting me see clearly how someone else gets to cherish you.”

“Okay, enough about that. To be honest, word about your wild days gets around too, Jared. You’ve had your fair share of admirers–maybe it’s your turn to actually notice the great women right under your nose,” I teased him.

“Just going with the flow,” Jared replied, sounding a bit down. “Yvonne’s been acting a little odd lately. She’s still just in third grade, but sometimes she talks and acts like a mini adult. On the bright side, she’s now ranked in the top five at school, and she’s placed in several competitions too.”

As I listened, things suddenly came into focus.

“Jared, what if… what if Yvonne also went through time travel?” I said, my words taking on an eerie edge.

Jared sounded genuinely freaked out, his voice rising. “No way. We only got a second chance because we died. Yvonne just spent a few years in jail. Now that she’s out, there’s the trust fund I set up for her–she’ll be fine.”

I scoffed, a cold laugh escaping me. “You’re forgetting about Tracy. She’s already taken over your company. You really think she’ll give Yvonne the money? Yvonne’s just a young girl, doesn’t have much going for her. If Tracy wants to steal what’s hers, she’s got a dozen tricks up her sleeve.”

“Damn it…” Jared cursed, his voice tight with pain and frustration. I could picture his face twisted with rage. “How could I not have seen that?”

“Jared, just keep an eye on Yvonne. If she really has come back, please don’t frighten her–just let her live a peaceful life as our daughter this time. She deserves to feel safe,” I said softly, trying to reassure him.

Jared’s voice trembled, thick with emotion. “Alright, I’ll do as you say. I won’t interfere with her life. I’ll let her truly be our child.”

“Keep watching her, and fill me in on anything that happens. I’ll be watching her closely too. Let’s keep each other updated,” I said, then hung up.

If Yvonne had really been reborn, Jared wouldn’t hesitate to make Tracy bleed. Yvonne was his one line—cross it, and he’d stop at nothing to destroy Tracy.

This was their twisted love–hate saga, and right now, I just wanted to stay on the sidelines.

Another blazing hot summer was upon us.

My parents hosted a family dinner, and Aiden brought his girlfriend home to meet everyone.