Chapter 724

55 vouchers.

I nodded. “It’s really something special when two people end up together. Make sure you treasure it.”

Melissa glanced at me and let out a quiet sigh. “Sorry, Victoria, I’m still too nervous to bring him to meet you over dinner.”

I was taken aback, then couldn’t help but laugh. “Come on, you can’t be that shy!”

“It’s not that I’m lacking confidence–it’s just that I know how dangerous you are around men,” Melissa said, giving my cheek a playful pinch. “Seriously, you walk out without a stitch of makeup and still look like you’ve got a filter on. Your skin’s so clear and fair, and you never get pimples! Meanwhile, I eat one spicy meal and my face explodes. Seriously, how’s anyone supposed to compete?”

Melissa was always a riot–she even had a way of making compliments sound one-of-a-kind.

“Fine, I won’t meet him yet. But when you get married, I’ll give you a big engagement gift,” I said with a grin.

“Let me hold onto my sugar mama,” Melissa joked, clinging to my arm like she wasn’t letting go.

I cracked up at her.

After lunch, we went shopping together, and when we got tired, she treated me to some dessert. Then we headed home separately.

Down in the parking garage, I popped the trunk and started unloading my shopping bags.

Suddenly, the headlights of a black Volkswagen next to me flicked on.

I glanced over, but didn’t pay it much mind. Instead, I strode straight toward the elevator.

Just then, I heard Ryans call out from behind me. “You still haven’t explained what happened yesterday at lunch.”

Hearing Ryans’s voice, I whipped around.

He was standing by his car in a black shirt, his expression impossible to read.

“How did you even find me here?” I blurted out, totally stunned.

Ryan said coolly, “I just want an explanation.”

“Sorry, I just mistook you for someone else,” I said, wondering, ‘Would he actually buy that?’

Ryan switched off his headlights and strode right up to me. “Was it really just a mix-up, or do you just project his face onto anyone who reminds you of him?”

“Don’t go off the deep end, Ryan. You really shouldn’t be here,” I snapped, my anger barely contained.

“If Uncle Ryan finds out what you did to me yesterday…” Ryan said, letting the threat hang in the air.

“Ryan…” I blurted out, panic and anger mixing in my voice.

But Ryan just gave me that wicked grin. “Come on, you know how manipulative I can be. It’s not like this is news to you.”

“Even if you don’t love your wife, couldn’t you at least show her some respect?” I snapped, my anger flaring.

“I didn’t do anything out of line. I just met up with someone from my past and talked for a bit…” I tried to explain.

Ryan’s eyes grew darker. “You used to smile at me every time we met, but now you look at me like I’m your worst enemy. Vic, have I really been replaced by someone new?”

I took a deep breath, thinking, ‘Is Ryan really taking this so seriously?’

“What does Uncle Ryan have that I don’t? Why are you so into him?” Ryan asked, looking genuinely bitter.

“Uncle Ryan gets women way better than I do–he’s got way more experience,” Ryan said, stepping closer with every word.

“Ryan, I really don’t want to hear this,” I said, my voice cold. “And honestly, you shouldn’t even be asking me that.”

“Uncle Ryan’s got no morals…” Ryan scoffed.

“Oh, and you do?” I shot back, raising an eyebrow. “You’re married, but still chasing after your ex.”

“I… I had my reasons, things I couldn’t control. I never betrayed you,” Ryan said, his eyes rimmed red with anguish. “If it were up to me, I’d never have let you go.”

“You knew you couldn’t control things, but you still came looking for trouble. Ryan, stop saying things that don’t mean anything. Just go back to your own life,” I said, turning and heading for the elevator.

Ryan stood in the shadows, watching me leave as if I was running away.