bChapter /bb332 /b

    +23)

    Jared noticed how pale I had gotten, and his mocking smile faded. He said calmly, “I’m just being honest with you. Whether you keep dealing with him or

    not is up to you.”

    “What else do you know? Come on. Just tell me. I need to know what to watch out for,” I said, reaching out to block his way as he tried to leave..

    I didn’t even understand why I was so restless. Ryan’s whole situation was making me uneasy. I might not do anything for him, but I wanted to know

    more.

    “Get out of my way,” Jared snapped, like I had hurt him, and he tried to push me aside.

    “Jared, don’t be so stingy. I know you’re hiding something,” I blurted out as I grabbed his finger before realizing what I had done.

    Jared shuddered, staring down in disbelief at his finger in my grip.

    It hit me then that I was holding his finger. I quickly tried to let go, but he suddenly twisted his hand, locking his fingers around with a tight grip.

    I jumped in surprise and tried to pull my hand free.

    Jared’s face went cold as he stared at me and said, “Victoria, you really know how to hit where it hurts, don’t you?

    “I tell you to stay away from him, but you are trying to get me to talk more about him. Have you ever thought about how that makes me feel?”

    His palm was so warm, and for a moment, it brought back memories of how things used to be between us.

    “Alright, forget it. I won’t ask anymore. Just let go of my hand,” I said, realizing I might’ve been a little harsh on Jared.

    “So, to you, I’m just a stranger now?” Jared asked, still holding my hand tight with pain written all over his face. “Victoria, you always say I’m heartless, but if anyone’s cold–hearted here, it’s you.”

    “I’m not,” I retorted, and when he still felt down, I yanked my hand free and dropped back into my seat. “Honestly, plenty of married couples share a bed but live separate lives. We’re divorced, so acting like polite strangers is pretty normal, isn’t it?”

    Jared bgave /ba dry, sarcasticugh. “If you’re iso /idesperate to know about Ryan, why don’t you just ask him yourself?” With that, he turned and walked

    away.

    I sat there bin /ba daze, trying to make sense of everything. Ryan was the important heir, whose whole life was tied to his grandfather’s protection.

    Since Jared said he was dangerous, I might stay away from him for now. Still, I just hoped he could go through difficult times.

    I could’t stop thinking about the way Jared had gripped my fingers earlier. The look in his eyes was so intense, like he was barely holding back a flood of

    I wondered if he actually started falling for me after the divorce. A soap opera twist like this was happening to Jared of all people. Maybe that bwas /bjust hurian futura What we couldn’t have always seemed the most precious.

    Altered eight Yvonne to the hotel fyr harsh, along with some of his briends Yvonne came running over and asked me to take her to the

    Dad and tas brenda pre paying cards #t’s y? Yvonne said, scrunching her face in dingusk

    knew Jared and his trend led to pay gapes to end who they got together was that one found it luust

    bbe /bused to the altari i asualty tygodniky, she’d gran taller Her cheeks were rounder, and she looked much

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    08:54 Sat, 23 Aug Mi

    Chapter i332 /i

    “You’ve really grown up,” I said, picking out some of her favorite dishes and putting them on her te.

    Yvonne nodded eagerly. “Yeah, I just want to grow up faster.”

    “Why is that?” I asked, surprised.

    80%

    “Mom, if Dad marries someone new, will they have kids? Will I get a little brother or sister? If that happens, does that mean Dad’s money will go to them, too?” Yvonne mumbled, her head hanging down.

    I just stared at her, stunned. “Who told you all this?”

    Yvonne’s voice wavered as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I just guessed. I’m not a little kid.

    “There’s a boy in my ss who said he’s going to take over his dad’spany when he grows up. Then he asked if I wanted to be his girlfriend someday.

    “I told him my dad has apany, too, and I’m going to be a boss when I grow up. But they all justughed at me. I wish you and Dad hadn’t gotten divorced. Then Dad wouldn’t have to get remarried.”

    Hearing that, I waspletely floored.