Chapter 17: Playing Hard to Get

Lydia locked her face. Lucas then stepped in to calm the situation. “That’s enough. We should let them handle it. Let’s seal this.”

Around the table, people looked at her with varying degrees of sympathy and concern. Some subtly hinted at their doubts about her health; others whispered about finding a remote doctor to help her conceive, assuming her busy schedule and drinking habits had somehow affected her health.

“Yvette, all the work and business dinners are taking a toll on you. It’s probably not helping with, you know, family planning,” Curth suppressed a sigh.

“Be quiet,” Treite snapped, her voice rising. “What, should we let you handle the family business then?”

Watching from the sidelines, I felt a sense of justice. In my previous life, I’d endured her unfair treatment and indifference. This time, I’d see them all struggle. I had nothing to lose, while they had their names and reputations on the line. Today’s test result would be the talk of the Jennings family in no time.

Since all the family members were here, I was certain that the news about Verito not being able to conceive would spread through the entire Jennings Group. If she had helped me a little and stopped her parents from talking harshly to me, I wouldn’t have let this happen.

Al sat there; I was well aware of the effect it would have on her, too. There had also been grumbles within the board about a man holding the top position. This news would only exacerbate the situation.

In the living room, nonchalantly, I showed off my eating fruit and watching as Lucas stole a glance at Yvette and gestured subtly, signaling for her to call him. Beside me, Cartis sidled up with a smirk, his tone smug. “So, Cuen, Bay’s display was something else. What? Finally had enough of being her little plaything?”

“A weed,” I stated flatly, meeting his eyes.

His smug look vanished, and he stared at me, stunned. I chuckled at his expression and made to head to the restroom, but suddenly Yvette was there, approaching with that detached expression of hers. Before I could react, she grabbed my arm and dragged me into a nearby room.

The door slammed shut behind us, and she turned, pushing me back against the wall. Her intense gaze fixed on me. I shrank back instinctively, watching her in shock. “What… what do you think you’re doing?”

I tried to move aside, but she quickly blocked my path. “What do you think I’m doing?” She was barely controlling her anger. “Isn’t this what you wanted? A child, right?”

My heart pounded as I stared at her, dumbfounded. “Yvette, are you… are you alright?”

I felt unreal hearing something so provocative coming from her. She sneered at my reaction, clearly amused. “Trying to play hard-to-get, angling for a divorce, while constantly dropping hints about wanting a child? I know exactly what game you’re playing.”

Watching her, I retorted, “Yeah, thanks to your family, I’m bombarded with reminders. And if you think about it, all the hard work of having a kid? It’s still yours to deal with.”

She rolled her eyes, unfazed. “Is that so?”

I picked up on her dread. “And, uh, don’t get any closer. I didn’t ask for this, alright? I was only trying to get Lydia off my back since you’re okay with her constant insults. So don’t…”

I didn’t even finish the sentence before her mouth crashed onto mine, rough and unrestrained, her grip tightening.

Litrate, my eyes wide, it was unbelievable. She was doing this. Yvette was actually kissing me?

Back in my previous life, she’d never done this—never showed even a hint of intimacy. I knew she’d once mistaken me for Randall, and in that lapse, I’d been able to connect with her. Afterward, it was only when she was drunk and furious at the world that she’d let me down. But this time, her behavior was like a different person entirely.

The shock broke through my daze, and I finally managed to push her off me. But she only came closer, yanking my shirt. Her fingers traced over my chest, tangling along my muscles.

She leaned in again, her teeth sinking into my lip, a sharp pain spreading as the taste of blood touched my tongue.

“Are you a dog, Yore?” I snapped, wiping the blood from my lip.

For years, I’d been nothing more than her eager, loyal husband, the guy willing to be her doormat. Yet, even when I’d given her everything, she wanted a divorce and left me with nothing.

This time, I’d already decided to let her go. And now she thought she could just waltz back into my life, kissing me like this?

Her eyelashes fluttered, her cheeks flushed a faint pink, but the defiance in her presence remained sharp.

“You forget what relationships are,” Owen shot back, unyielding. “As far as I’m concerned, if I want to kiss you or even sleep with you—it’s within my rights as your wife. And weren’t you the one pushing this whole ‘laid-back’ idea?”

“Hot.” So now you’re just doing that to spite me? Or should I be spiting you instead?

I turned to leave, but Finn’s voice stopped me. “What happened? All for that woman Lilla, right?”

My steps faltered. I felt the blood drain from my face as I looked back at her, shaken. How would she know about Lila?

In the entire year we’d been married, I’d never mentioned Lila, nor had Lila crossed paths with her in any way. I assumed she’d either forgotten or didn’t care.

Then, the corners of Jau’s lips twisted into a mocking smirk, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

Seeing my shock, she continued, “You’ve had your little crush the whole time. But don’t think I didn’t notice, Owen. So now, when I let it slide so far along, why keep stirring things up?”

Dad’s gaze was heavy, her expression steely and unforgiving. The coldness in her demeanor was far more pronounced than it had been at dinner; her voice was colder than ever.

“Owen, I’m sick of playing along with your little ‘hard-to-get’ act. Knock it off, and you’ll only end up hurting yourself.”

With that, she released her grip, turned, and left, slamming the door behind her.

I took a while before I could shake off the feeling of unease. This whole time, I’d been playing along, assuming it was all just a game. But I’d run out of patience, and apparently, so had she.

Glancing around the home, I spotted my in-laws sitting on the couch. Disgusted, Thomas had banned himself outside to get some air. Sami unpienieakimwing, undled when he saw me coming. “Ms. Jerning, what are you doing?” he asked, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

Sam chuckled, winking. “The anniversary gift. The one you bought with her, the Manning. You what? Bring it inside, washer.”

A rush of curiosity spread through me as I peered into the front room.

I couldn’t see the contents of the cat-shaped gift basket, but it was indeed gorgeous. I assumed, “I never got any gift. And how do you know it was for me?”

“She prepared it long in advance, only bringing it out this morning. If it’s not for you, who else would it be for?”

I opened my mouth to answer but was cut short by his quiet chuckle. “Well, speak of the devil,” he said, nodding toward the house. I turned, and there she was, with that familiar, elegant bag in her hand.