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    <b>Chapter </b><b>87 </b>


    I replied casually, <b>“</b><b>Yeah</b>, <b>I’ve </b><b>made </b><b>peace </b>with the world and let go of many things<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Jared frowned slightly. “What brought on this sudden enlightenment? Didn’t you mention attending some spiritual coursest time? Did you go?”


    I had forgotten all about that. However<b>, </b>since Jared brought it up, I recalled a time when I felt deeply troubled and stuck.


    A <b>few </b><b>society </bdies had introduced me to these supposed mental wellness courses, iming they helped ovee inner conflicts. <b>I </b>had <b>even </b>signed up.


    “I didn’t go. Those courses are just money traps,” I said calmly.


    For some reason, Jared found this amusing and chuckled. “So you knew they were scams? I thought you’d need to <b>be </b>conned at least three times before waking up.”


    “My brain isn’t that slow. I’d rather invest in gold with that money,” <b>I </b>scoffed lightly.


    “You like gold?” Jared raised an eyebrow.


    “Who doesn’t?” I thought his question <b>was </b>rather redundant.


    Seeing that I wasn’t in the mood for a conversation, Jared didn’t push further. We arrived back at the vite at night.


    As I headed downstairs, Jared asked, “Is your… time over?”


    I immediately understood his insinuation and thought, ‘What’s up? Tracy didn’t satisfy him enough, so he’s back home seeking more?‘


    “No,” I replied before heading to my room.


    Jared didn’t bother me after that. The next morning at the breakfast table, he suddenly reached over and touched my ring finger. “Is this a new ring you bought? It doesn’t look that nice.”


    I had bought it cheaply from a second–hand market, so of course it couldn’tpare with new ones. “I like the antique style.” I fibbed.


    <b>Jared </b>didn’t say anything more after that.


    During my lunch break at work, I received a text message from Nathan. He was abroad and sent me a scenic photo, with himself absent from the frame.


    I nced at <b>it </b>and replied: [Beautiful.]


    Nathan replied: [<b>It’s </b>even more stunning here in winter when it’s covered in snow.]


    My heart fluttered at the thought. People said sharing was a silent confession, and Nathan seemed to get that. [I’d love to see it sometime.] I texted back.


    <b>He </b>simply responded with a <b>“</b>sure“, and knowing not to overdo it, he didn’t send anything <b>else</b>.


    In the afternoon, after wrapping up most of my tasks, I noticed I was added to a new group chat on WhatsApp.


    <b>Sally </b>had added me to the chat, mentioning she would pick up Yvonne that afternoon so we could focus on work without


    worry.


    <b>I </b><b>saw </b>Jared, Quinn<b>, </b>and James being added one after another. Sally then renamed the group.


    <b>Sally </b>mentioned that any announcements about picking up the kids would be made in this group. I replied with “Got it.” Jared chimed in with a simple “Okay,” and Quinn immediately sent a voice noteining about her busy startup schedule. James remained silent.


    With nobody needing me to pick up Yvonne, I headed to my old dance studio to practice. I had some background in dance, and after plenty of practice in my previous life, I had developed a good sense of rhythm.


    <b>As </b>soon as <b>I </b>walked in, the dance teacher waved me over. “Come on, let’s film a bit. You did greatst time.”


    Dancing was my ultimate rxation. However, not wanting to be recognized, I went downstairs to buy a mask and borrowed a baseball cap from a ssmate.


    Dressed in white shorts and a light crop top that showed off my waist, with my long hair flowing freely, I joined my stylish female teacher for a hot dance routine.


    Initially, I was dancing for the students present, but someone nearby was recording the session. Completely absorbed in the dance, I didn’t notice<b>. </b>Someone approached me to ask if I <b>was </b>the invited instructor because my moves were so expressive.


    The dance teacher gave me an appreciative look. “Interested in teaching here? The girls seem to really like you, and you have a strong sense of rhythm.”


    I shook my head. “I’m just here to rx. I don’t have time to teach.”


    “These girls are aiming for entertainment careers; money isn’t a concern for them,” the dance teacher added.


    I was momentarily surprised, realizing they might have misunderstood my situation. When I signed up for the ss, I hadn’t mentioned my background, so they probably assumed I might need the job.


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