NovelOnlineThe question caughtoff guard. So, Jared did have insecurities after all. | feigned ignorance. “Better at what,
exactly?”
| could practically hear him grinding his teeth. “You said before there was no comparison. Now there is.”
| couldn’t help but laugh. “The fact that you're asking already tells you the answer, doesn’t it?”
The line went quiet again. | was growing impatient. This back-and-forth wasn’t like him. He'd never been one for
drawn-out emotional tug-of-war.
“If you still wantat that meeting, I'll come. But this is the last tyou put a finger in my personal business.”
My voice left no room for negotiation.
He exhaled, defeat creeping into his tone. “Fine. Be here.”
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On the way to the hotel, | turned Jared's behavior over in my mind. His petty questions, his sudden insecurity...
Maybe this was just his way of processing the end of our marriage.
Typical male ego, really. For men like him, self-worth was either tied to their careers or... well, other areas of
pride.
The meeting dragged on until 9:30 PM. Jared, clearly in a foul mood, kept excusing himself to step outside for a
smoke.
| noticed it too. The way his eyes glazed over was like he'd been hollowed out. Every this gaze fixed on some
distant point, he'd push back his chair and step out of the conference room, only returning after a few minutes
alone.
The meeting determined our next steps. It looked like I'd be staying in Shaville long-term. My role was solidified:
I'd continue overseeing the hotel's renovations while also assembling a new management team.
The work electrifiedin a way I'd never experienced before. This was more than just adrenaline; it was
passion. For the first time, | felt like every effort | made was building toward something meaningful, something
that would helpgrow.
Back when my world revolved solely around my family, I'd never felt this way. Back then, my vision had been
narrow, limited to just my husband and
child.
Men saw the world as their domain, with family as just one part of their grand plan.
After the main meeting, | gathered my soon-to-be subordinates for another half-hour discussion, laying out our
immediate priorities.
By the twe wrapped up, it was past 10 PM. Most of us hadn't eaten dinner yet, so we headed down to the
hotel's buffet. Hunger gnawed at me, and | decided to join them.
But as i stepped into the hallway, a tall figure blocked my path.
Jared stood there in a gray shirt, the top buttons undone, exuding a careless, almost reckless aura.
“Congratulations,” he said, his voice dripping with Sarcasm. “On taking this bold new step,”
| smiled coolly “Mr. Holcomb, do us both a favor and speak plainly.”
He stiffened, caught off guard by my sharpness. Once upon a time, he’d been the one demanding ( “speak
plainly” whenever trambled, Funny how things changed Clear communication was always key, something he'd
taughthimself
“New city, new job, new team. His lips twisted into a bitter smirk “And new men. How ironic, Victoria. You've
been full of surprises lately. Hard to tell which ones are pleasant and which are just shocking”
| listened calmly before replying, “You find it shocking because you never imagined I'd actually walk away”
Jared flinched. “You're fight,” he admitted, his voice rough “I thought about us starting fresh, giving you money,
affection. But | never planned for an ending”
1/i
08:49 Sat, 23 Aug
Chap
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