Quinn looked up at me with a weird lock of expression. Ignoring her, I took a seat nearby.

Jared looked a bit worn out. As soon as I sat down, he said coldly, “Quinn, apologize to Victoria.”

Quinn must’ve gotten a talking to. Her eyes looked dull and lifeless. She stared at me, at a loss for words for a moment, but I could tell she was waiting for something—like maybe I’d immediately turn to Jared with a gentle smile and say, “No need to apologize. We’re all family here.”

But now, I just sat there with a calm face, saying nothing. If she thought I’d just forgive her, she was kidding herself. I was not someone who bullied others, but that didn’t mean anyone could walk all over me.

“Quinn, do I need to say it again?” Jared said sternly.

Quinn’s eyes turned red, and she said in a small, aggrieved voice, “I’m sorry, Victoria. I shouldn’t have sent those nasty messages yesterday. I know this wasn’t your fault. It’s my brother who let you down. You’re a victim too.”

I listened, expressionless, and just gave a small nod.

“I won’t do it again,” Quinn mumbled, her head down.

Well, that was really hard to tell whether she said it out of guilt or something else.

Quinn didn’t stick around for lunch. After her apology, she made up some excuse and left.

When it was just Jared and me left in the room, I looked at him and said, “Thank you.”

Jared looked a little taken aback. He asked, “For what?”

“Thank you for finally standing up for me. For once, you were actually fair,” I said with a faint smile.

Jared’s face stiffened a little. He knew exactly what I meant.

“I should’ve done better as her big brother. If I’d stepped in and put a stop to it the first time Quinn was out of line, she wouldn’t have kept pushing you around,” Jared said, finally sounding like the brother he was supposed to be.

“It’s nothing, really. It’s all in the past,” I brushed it off.

Jared breathed a subtle sigh of relief, and right then, the waiter came in with our food.

We ate slowly. Jared seemed lost in thought and didn’t eat much.

While eating, I kept talking to him about work. He wasn’t really paying attention, but whenever I brought up something important, he’d chime in with some pointers.

I spent the whole meal talking about work, and he had no choice but to listen. Finally, he put down his fork and said, “You’re starting to sound more like my subordinate than my wife.”

I chuckled softly. “Working for you would be way easier. All I’d have to do is get the job done.”

Jared paused for a moment, then let out a small laugh, “Is being my wife really that tough? I’m not that much of a perfectionist, am I?”

I shook my head. “It’s not my body that’s tired, but my heart.”

Jared understood instantly. His gaze grew more tender as he said, “Victoria, maybe I haven’t been the husband you deserve, but I’m working on it.”

“You don’t need to change. You’re already good enough,” I said, cutting him off with a raised hand. “Seriously, Jared, even my parents only ever say good things about you. You’ve always been a stand up guy.”

Jared’s face fell a little. He must be wondering why we couldn’t stay together.

“Victoria, when did you start using flattery as a weapon against me?” Jared grumbled, clearly not pleased. “Guess I wasn't good enough if you want out.”

I gave him a mischievous grin. “Looks like you saw right through me?”