Chapter 723 ER 55 vouchers
I really shouldn’t have teased Jared–it just makes it look like I’m way too invested in him. When he gave me that unreadable look, trying to figure out what I was getting at, I put on a serious face. “Alright, enough of this. Just go already.”
Jared stood up and tapped his fingers lightly on the table. “I don’t need anyone telling me how to live. My life is mine, and whether I make a fortune or not, that’s beside the point. But my life and my feelings? They’ll never be for sale.”
I glanced at him, a bit taken aback. Jared had always been assertive, the kind of guy who understood people inside out–sometimes bending the rules, sometimes sticking to them. That’s probably why he always managed to get what he wanted in his previous life. If it hadn’t been for that car accident, he probably would’ve lived to a hundred.
Seeing me fall silent, Jared’s expression grew somber. “Victoria, what do you think matters most to someone who’s lived a lifetime?”
I just stared at him, stunned, not knowing what to say.
“You keep bouncing from one fling to another because you missed out on all that in your previous life. But me? I don’t play around with love, because I’m afraid… afraid of running into another woman like Tracy. She might not care about me, but she definitely cares about my money.” Jared’s eyes locked onto mine. “Maybe I had it coming, losing the only woman who ever loved me for who I am, not for my bank account.”
“Let’s not talk about this,” I said quickly, dodging his eyes. “Honestly, money is what I care about most these days.”
“It’s still not the same,” Jared replied, his voice low and husky. “It really isn’t.”
With that, Jared opened the door and strode out.
I just stood there, dazed. ‘What’s really so different? In the end, aren’t we all just after money and a good time?’
Not long after Jared left, I drifted back to sleep. Maybe it’s just something about napping during the day, but I ended up having the strangest dream.
In the dream, I was married and pregnant. I went in for a check–up, and when the doctor pressed on my stomach, he looked at me and said, “Your baby’s gone.” I completely lost it, screaming my head off in panic.
When I woke up, my pillow was soaked with tears. I hugged myself tightly, feeling like I’d just fallen into an endless abyss.
‘Why would I have a dream like that?’ I asked myself, still shaken.
‘Was it just sleep paralysis messing with me?’ I wondered.
I quickly got up, poured myself a glass of cold water, and gulped it down, hoping to shake off the lingering nightmare.
At noon, I met up with Melissa for lunch. The last time I saw her, she looked pretty down, but today, she was absolutely glowing.
We checked each other out, and Melissa teased, “Why are you out here without any makeup?”
I laughed. “Seriously? Is it a crime to show my real face?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s nice–feels like I’m seeing the old you again,” Melissa grinned.
I reached up and touched my face. Yeah, back when I was still Mrs. Holcomb, I’d meet up with Melissa bare-faced, too lazy to even bother with lipstick.
“So, how have you been lately? Got any good news?” I asked, pouring her a cup of coffee.
Melissa suddenly held up her left hand, showing off a sparkly diamond ring on her middle finger.
I lit up instantly. “Wait, did you get yourself a new boyfriend?”
“He proposed,” Melissa said, beaming.
“Seriously?!” I was so happy for her. My bestie was finally getting hitched!
“Yeah, he’s from my hometown. We met at a party,” Melissa said, practically glowing. “I’ve been dying to tell you about him, but I didn’t want to jinx it. Now I can finally spill the beans. He’s an IT guy–not exactly a heartthrob, but he’s super genuine.”