Then, all of a sudden, he pulled me into a fierce hug. “Victoria, we were chosen by fate to be husband and wife. I believe in karma and destiny. In this life, I’m here to love you and Yvonne. Please, just give me a chance, okay?”
“Jared, let go of me…” I muttered, feeling awkward and self-conscious.
More people started gathering at the restaurant entrance, all turning to stare at us. Even though we were in a foreign country and no one could understand what we were saying, Jared acting out like that was making people stare. A couple of tall guys even started heading over to check out what was happening.
“Jared, people are coming over. Could you please let go?” I pleaded, not wanting things to get any messier.
As expected, a few concerned men came over and asked if we needed any help. I quickly told them it was just a fight between husband and wife, and they walked away.
Jared was breathing hard, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He leaned against the wall, looking like a defeated animal – something I’d never seen from him before. In our previous life, he was always so refined, the picture of a gentleman. Underneath that polished exterior, though, he was ruthless and decisive, but he never let it show in his words. Right now, I was seeing a side of Jared I’d never seen before – untamed, vulnerable, and heartbreakingly real.
“So this is what fate wants, huh? Not for me to love you, but to punish me by making me watch you fall for someone else, again and again, and never with me – not even once,” Jared choked out, suddenly covering his face with his hands. I saw his knuckles, swollen and smeared with blood, and seeing that hit me hard.
I just stood there, shaking all over, unable to move.
“Jared, please, stop torturing yourself,” I begged, my voice rough and strained.
Jared lowered his hands and looked at me, lost and bewildered, like a man who’d lost his way. Seeing him like that, I couldn’t bear it.
“Look, you have your parents, your sister, your daughter, and your career. You have everything except a loving, beautiful wife – and that wife doesn’t have to be me. I’m sure, with your standards, you’ll find someone who’s just right for you.” And with that, I strode away from him.
And besides, there was someone else waiting for me in there.
When I walked into the restaurant, I spotted Edward sitting with Yvonne, who was munching on a cupcake. She had a bag stuffed with girly toys in her hand – exactly the kind little girls go crazy for.
“Mommy!” Yvonne dashed over, grinning. “Uncle Edward gave me these toys! They’re just what I like!”
I glanced at Edward as he stood up and came over, his gaze slipping past me to look behind. “Is Mr. Holcomb… okay?”
“He’s okay. He just had a bit of a breakdown.”
“Let’s head to the private room. He’ll be here soon,” I said.
Edward led us to a fancy private room. “Should I go talk to Mr. Holcomb?” he asked.
Just as he was about to get up, I pressed my hand on his. “Don’t.”
Edward glanced down at my hand on his, then smiled. “Alright.”
Just like I thought, Jared came back. He’d cleaned the blood off his hands and looked composed, like nothing had happened – but you could still see the storm brewing in his eyes.
Edward glanced at me, then at Jared beside me, and said, “Mr. Holcomb, if there’s anything on your mind, we can talk it out.”
Jared shook his head. “It’s fine. I’ll respect whatever she decides.”
I blinked in surprise, turning to look at Jared. Did my words finally wake him up? Fixating on just one person was never a smart move.
I quietly breathed a sigh of relief. If Jared could finally let go and stop being so hung up on me, life would get a lot better for him and his family.
Edward nodded. “Alright, I understand.”
Food was just served, and we’d barely started eating when Jared suddenly spoke up, staring straight at Edward. “Mr. Jennings, are you really serious about her?”