Jared shot me a look. “Weren’t you the one who thought there was something going on hotween us? Now that I’ve let her go, you look all surprind
“Letting someone that talented go? isn’t that a huge loss for thepany?” I was honestly shocked. I never thought Jared would make such an <b>impulsive </b>move.
Jared replied casually, “It’s a loss I should take. Nothing to regret. I’ve already found someone just as capable”
Honestly, men really did think with their heads, not their hearts. Jared only let Tracy go because she was starting to mess with his reputation.
As the boss, he always said he cared about keeping his image clean. He probably just didn’t want to get dragged into some messy gossip because of a
“Just be straight with me, okay? Why did you really let her go? And <b>don’t </b>give me that it’s for you excuse,” I shot back, my tone full of sarcasm.
Jared set down his fork, stood up, opened the wine cab, and pulled out a bottle.
He poured himself half a ss, took a slow sip, and when he looked at me, <b>his </b>eyes were cool and steady. “Victoria, in <b>your </b>eyes, what kind of man is your husband?”
“A guy still breathing,” I answered,
Jared couldn’t help butugh. “You’ve gotten a lot chattertely, <b>and </b><b>a </b>lot funnier, too.”
“That’s because life hasn’t been going my way, and I’m done holding back. If someone ticks me off, I’m not holding back anymore. Il p right back.” I wasn’t pretending with Jared anymore.
Before, I always worried that saying things like this would make him see me <b>as </b><b>some </b>nag, ruining the gentle image I tried so hard to keep in his eyes.
“Yeah<b>, </b><b>a </b>woman with a bit of an edge is even more attractive Jared nodded.
I tightened my grip on my fork and let out a coldugh. “So Tracy’s the kind of woman with that edge, <b>really </b>attractive, right?”
Jared just looked at me, speechless. He took another sip of his <b>wine </b>and said, “Why do you always have topare yourself to hor? Tracy’s too arrogant.
“Sure<b>, </b><b>she’s </b>capable, but her sharpness is over the top, and it puts a lot of <b>pressure </b>on people”
I gave a drychuckle. “So you men just like women, <b>you </b>can keep in check, huh? The moment they stop being easy to handle, you find an excuse to me them or <b>push </b>them away.”
<b>“</b>Victoria, you want the truth? Fine, I’lly it all out. Ever since Tracy joined thepany, there has always been gossip swirling around.
“I get it–on paper, Tracy and I look like the perfect pair with the same background, same skills<b>, </b>even looks.
“People just forgot I had a wife waiting for me at home, Jared paused, his gaze fixed on me. “Victoria, I’m sorry. I really have neglected you all this time.”
“No need to apologize. I brought it on myself,” I replied, feeling nothing <b>at </b>all as he said it.
He shook his head. “No, it’s on me. If I’d cared about your feelings and stepped up to clear the air when the rumors started, you wouldn’t <b>have </b>felt <b>like </b>you had topete with Tracy.
“I was <b>supposed </b>to be your <b>umbre</b>, but instead, I let you get caught in the rain.
“Storms help you grow. It’s not the worst thing” I said, looking up at him, “And as for you, the umbre full of holes, when you end up with someone else, at least I won’t feel so miserable.”
Jated seemed at a loss for words
I <b>smiled</b>, <b>“</b>So it was Tracy hurting your reputation at work that de yoki decide to let her go, huh? ”
I got it right. Jared paused for a moment, then nodded. “Pretty much. I gave her a pretty ponereus severance, and she said the wants to keep
“Really? She’s not even married, and she’s still willing to have the baby?” I was lily surprised. In my previous life, Tracy didn’t hesitate to bett but new she’s doing theplete opposite.
“That’s what she told me. I don’t know if she’ll actually have the baby, but either way, it’s over between us, Jared said, finishing his drink and getting to his feet. I’m heading back to the office. Safe travels, and take care
I watched as Jared walked over to the rotryway to put on his shoes, and I called out, “Wait a second!
<b>Jared </b>stood by the door, looking at me with a list of hope in his <b>eyes</b>, probably thinking I was going to give him a kiss goodbye
But all I did was quickly gather up the leftovers and say, “Take the trash out on your way out.”
AD