| had put on sheavy makeup today, so | did look completely different from before. | frowned and said, “Ryan,
maybe you should let Silas head back and get srest. He looks exhausted.”
“I'm fine. | can still help out,” Silas insisted, trying to wave off my concern.
“Silas, it’s okay. Go on home,” Ryan said softly.
Silas blinked in surprise, then nodded and said, “Alright, Ryan. Just make sure you don’t tire yourself out.”
At the dinner that night, Sally and Tracy showed up.
The moment Tracy walked in, she was met with an enthusiastic welcome. The company execs acted like they still
answered to her, and even Amy ended up getting sidelined.
Jared had taken a nap all afternoon, so he was in good spirits during dinner. When he saw Tracy, he immediately
got up and led her outside.
Sally and Quinn rushed out after them.
Just then, Ryan set down what he was holding and said to me, “Ms. Murphy, I'm heading out for a bit.”
| wanted to call him back, but he was already heading out the door.
| bet he was out taking photographs of more evidence. He was always thinking ahead-he had brains and street
smarts.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
When they cback, Tracy and Sally looked like they'd just swallowed something bitter. They were kept out of
sight in a private room, nowhere to be seen in the main hall.
When Quinn returned, she shota few resentful glances and slipped into that private room too.
1 knew that room was packed with the Holcomb family’s relatives. Sally probably brought Tracy in to get her
acquainted with everyone ahead of time.
“Ms. Murphy, | shot you a few messages. Check them out when you get a chance,” Ryan said quietly as he
returned.
“Thanks,” | replied, giving him a grateful look.
Ryan looked conflicted as he nodded.
Once dinner wrapped up, | headed to the elevator and made my way to the top floor of the hotel. There was a
room reserved forthere. | pushed the door open and just threw myself onto the sofa.
| checked my phone and saw a video. Even though | couldn't see Jared and Tracy, | could still hear their voices.
Tracy sounded sad as she asked Jared, “You used to say Victoria was just a vase, something pretty to keep at
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Chapter 243
home. So why do you care so much about her now?”
Jared replied, clearly annoyed, “I just said that without thinking. Your cousin must've told you, right?”
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Tracy scoffed, “Every little thing you do matters to me. | remember everything you say. When my cousin told me
you called Victoria just a vase, | knew you didn’t love her anymore.
“But you've been acting strange lately. Is it because I'm pregnant with my ex’s baby?”
Jared said, “Tracy, we're not at that point. I'm not going to comment on your pregnancy.”
“Jared, I'm sorry. This was a mistake, it won't happen again,” Tracy said softly. As she spoke, | could hear the
sound of clothes rustling-it sounded like they were hugging.
But then Jared's tone turned icy as he said, “Don’t. It's over between us. And stop trying to suck up to my mom-
it won't change anything.”
Tracy said, “You two are getting divorced. After the divorce, you'll end up with someone else. Why not me?”
Jared was quiet for a long moment before finally saying, “I know her-she’ll cback. This divorce is just a
phase. Tracy, I'm not going to mess up again. Maybe Victoria's right. We're adults-we have to own up to what we
do.”
“Jared, cback. Please don’t leave. I've always loved you, you know that,” Tracy pleaded.
“Tracy, | don’t need your love anymore. Just letgo,” Jared replied coldly.
Then Sally’s voice broke in, full of disapproval. She said, “Jared, don’t break her heart like this. Tracy’s done so
much for you.”
Jared just let out a short laugh and said, “Tracy, did you not tell my mom how much money | gave you when we
broke up this time?”
Sally sounded shocked. She exclaimed, “Wait, Tracy, you asked Jared for money?”
Tracy replied, “He gave it to me. I'm sorry, Sally. Maybe | really don’t belong here, | should go.”
“Don’t go. Since you're already here, at least stay for dinner before you leave,” Sally said, suddenly popping into
the frame.
Tracy looked determined to leave, but Sally grabbed her arm and held her back.
And that was where the video ended
From the way they talked, it was obvious Jared and Tracy had already decided to get together. If | hadn't pulled
myself out of the mess in time, Jared would've just kept drifting along, forgetting he was even married.
They would've crossed that last line, sneaking around without a shred of shame-just like in our previous life,
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hooking up wherever and whenever they could.
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