<b>Chapter </b><b>184 </b>
After lunch and tapping up work for the day, I told everyone to go do their men thing of course, I made a beeline for the high and boutons
I was dressed in a light green dress, my long hair braided to one side, channeling a ssic, timeless elegance.
“Mrs. Hob, Mr. Hob said your Englysian isn’t the best, so how about I join you for some shopping? I’m fluent in threenguages,” Luna Scott chimed in, smiling as she tried to tag along.
She was obviously Jared’s spy, and there was no way I was letting her followi me around. “Tio need, fve already got an interpreter from the hotel. You’ve been busy all day. Go rx and take it easy
“But, Mrs. Hob, I can help carry your bags, I’m pretty strong” Luna was clearly worried about failing whatever Jared put her up to, so she kept insisting
“Oh? Do I need to check in with you about everywhere I go now?” I shot back, my voice cold as ice
Luna mmed up instantly. I’d been so easy to deal with this whole trip that everyone thought I was soft, but now, the chill in my voice made her back off without another word.
I turned opened the car door, and slid into the seat. The female interpreter I’d hired joined me inside.
Finally out from under <b>Jared’s </b>watchful eye, I could actually breathe again. As my interpreter chatted about the sights and local culture, I found myse soaking it all in, getting a real taste of what this country <b>was </b>all about.
I came back loaded down with shopping bags, feeling way better than thad in a long time.
After four <b>days </b>in <b>Fnsia</b>, it was finally time to head home. When Inded, Jared and Yvonne were waiting for me at the airport.
Yvonne was clutching a bouquet of flowers, looking a bit bashful as she offered them to me. “Here, Mom. These are for you”
I took the flowers and <b>passed </b>them <b>straight </b>to one of the senior women behind me. Yvonne’s face fell in an instant.
Jared could tell I was being distant. He looked like he wanted to say something, but held back<b>, </b>just reached out and took my suitcase “Let’s go. I’ve got
dinner all set up.”
<b>I </b><b>said </b>coolly, “I’m skipping dinner. I just want to go home and
Jared insisted, “My folks areing too. Let’s all have dinner together.”
I met his gaze <b>and </b>insisted, “I really <b>don’t </b>want to go.
Yvonne suddenly snapped, “Mom, what’s gotten into youtely? Why are you being so distant with all of us?”
I looked at her and <b>said</b>, “Can’t I have a break when I’m tired?”
“But you never used to get tired like this. Now you’re always saying you’re exhausted. <b>Are </b>you sick or something? Maybe you should see a doctor,” Yvonne retorted, quick as ever with herebacks.
<b>Jared </b>just stood there, saying nothing. It was obvious. I’d hit <b>a </b>nerve by skipping the Hob family dinner; he was definitely not happy about it
I couldn’t <b>care </b>less if he was pissed. It was not like he ever agreed to the divorce <b>anyway</b>.
“Dad, let’s just go. If she’s noting, we came all this way for nothing.” Yvonne said, <b>tugging </b><b>at </b>Jared’s arm. “See? I told y but you wouldn’t listen.”
would be <b>a </b>burki
Jared loosened his grip on the suitcase handle bit by bit, then said quietly, “Alright, since you’re tired, go home and get some rest. I take Yvonne with
<b>1/2 </b>
“Okay,” I said, grabbling my suitcase and fagging down a cali.
Once Inside, I nced back through the rear window. Jared and Yohn were still standing there on the nub.
As the car drove off, it hit me. I’d really let them go, not just in person, but in my heart, too.
Jared always thought I was just bluffing whenever I mentioned divorce, like I was just thenwing a fit and didn’t really mean it.
But now that I was actually following through, he would finally realize I meant every word. I wasn’t ying around.
He always thought I couldn’t live without himand that i’d never find anyone better. Just like that, Nathan showed up.
He was like a powerful <b>rival</b>, eyeing me like a wolf, just waiting for Jared to loosen his grip so he could swoop right in Nathan’s presence made <b>Jared </b>finally stop ignoring me. It tumed out that it took a littlepetition to actually get noticed.
Before I got divorced, Nathan always kept things strictly tonic, never once <b>crossing </b>the line. But that night, when I was having dinner with Melisse,<b>1 </b>ran into him and Zachary at the restaurant.
Melissa shot me an awkward look and said, “Zachary brought his boss along. Victoria, hope you don’t mind?”
I just shook my head andughed. People brought friends or family to dinner, sure, but since when did it be a thing to bring one’s boss?
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