Chapter 91

Melissa noticed me staring downstairs and leaned over. “Mr. Holcomb? Who’s that bitch with him? And what is she doing?”

“She’s fixing his tie,” I said.

Tracy had just straightened Jared’s collar, then moved on to adjust his tie. The two of them shared a smile before walking through the door together.

Melissa’s eyes went wide in disbelief, then her gaze turned sympathetic as she looked at me. “Victoria, does it hurt?” she asked, reaching out to hug me.

I felt like I was frozen in place, unable to move for a long moment. Then I managed a smile. “No, I’m not surprised at all.”

Melissa immediately gasped, “They’re together? Victoria, is Jared cheating on you?”

I picked up my coffee cup and took a sip of it, saying quietly, “I don’t know. I haven’t seen any solid proof of him cheating yet, but judging by how flirty they were just now, they might really be together.”

“Victoria, I used to envy you not long ago, but now I don’t even know what to say,” Melissa said, looking at me with sympathy. “So, are you planning to just put up with this? Turn a blind eye and let them do whatever they want?”

“No, I’m going to get a divorce,” I said, lowering my eyes, my voice firm. “Once I have the evidence, I’ll file for divorce, take what’s rightfully mine, and live my single life.”

As a woman, Melissa understood just how awful it felt when one’s husband cheated. She nodded. “Okay, I support you. But what about your daughter? Can you really get a divorce and give her up?”

Thinking about Yvonne’s thoughts, I glanced out the window and gave a faint smile. “Melissa, to be honest, Yvonne actually likes the woman by his side.”

“What?” Melissa was shocked again. “Why isn’t she on your side? She should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you against all this.”

“I used to think so too,” I said with a bitter smile. “But you never really know what’s in someone’s heart. Sometimes, even your child might not truly stand with you.”

“Victoria, you’ve changed so much lately. It’s no wonder, with everything that’s happened,” Melissa sighed, her voice full of sympathy. “Your daughter is a part of you. How are you supposed to handle all these blows?”

“I’ll just go with the flow,” I said. I wasn’t going to force anything anymore. I was ready to accept whatever came my way. “Time heals all wounds. Someday, the pain in my heart will fade away.”

Melissa looked at me blankly for a long time, then let out a soft laugh. “Victoria, do you ever regret marrying him and having a child?”

Her question stunned me. I opened my mouth, but I just couldn’t find the words to answer.

“No step in life is ever wasted,” I finally said with a smile. “I married Jared, and the youth I spent was his youth too. There’s really nothing to regret. He gave me the comfortable life I have now. It was just a fair trade, you know.”

Melissa looked completely stunned. She probably felt like I was a stranger to her now.

After all, not long ago, I was desperately trying to hold on to Jared, playing the part of a dutiful maid, braving the elements every day to pick up and drop off Yvonne.

For me to suddenly come to my senses like this must have been pretty shocking.

Melissa reached out to touch my forehead, then took my hand, pushed up my sleeve, and saw the mole on my wrist. “Victoria, how did you suddenly get so wise and clear-headed? I feel like I barely know you anymore.”

I knew I’d changed so much that it might be a shock to my closest friend. But I couldn’t help it. Life kept pushing me forward, and all I could do was toughen up and build my inner strength.

I said softly, “Alright, Melissa, let’s not talk about Jared for now. Let’s talk about ourselves. Whether it’s clothes, bags, stuff around the house, or even the TV shows and idols we used to love, don’t we all get tired of them after a while? I think it’s just human nature to get tired of things and start wanting something new. Forever is just something people wish for. So, I don’t want to keep tearing myself up inside anymore.”

Melissa finally seemed convinced that I’d really grown. She gave me a firm pat on the back. “Alright, things will only get better from here. You’re changing at just the right time. Once you make a name for yourself, you won’t have to depend on anyone else or ask a man for money. There’s a real future to look forward to.”

I pressed my lips together in a smile. “Yeah, you’re right.”