:

b69 /b

55 vouchers

Getting back together with Jared? Not a chance. If I came back to life just to end up with him again, what’s the point of being reborn? I might as well have been reincarnated as someone else and started over from scratch.

“Yvonne, I’m sorry, but I’m not going to remarry him,” I said, hardening my heart as I remembered how distant she became from me in my previous life.

“Mom, is it because I used to be naughty that you don’t like me?” Yvonne asked, her voice full of sadness.

I just couldn’t bring myself to tell her about everything I’ve been through.

I looked up and shut my eyes tight. When I opened them, I stared at the ceiling and said, “You’ve been so mature. Let’s just say it’s your mom who’s being childish this time. I need to choose my own life.”

Yvonne justy there for a long time, then buried her face in the sheets and started crying. She didn’t say another word.

Watching Yvonne slowly be more mature, crying just because we had to part, really made my heart ache. For a second, I just felt lost–Victoria didn’t even know what the right way to guide her was.

The next morning, I dropped Yvonne off at school early. She gave me a little wave before heading inside, her backpack slung over her shoulder.

Watching her slender figure disappear through the gates, I couldn’t help but think about all the pressure first grade brings. I just sat there in my car for a long moment, lost in thought, before finally driving away.

During thepany’s morning meeting, I resumed my role and took back the reins of management.

After the morning meeting, I made my way to Jared’s office and knocked on the door.

He quickly stubbed out his cigarette and stood up. “What’s up?”

‘Jared was always a clean freak, never really into smoking. Guess things have changed if he’s lighting up at work nowi, /iI thought to myself.

“Let’s talk in the conference room. There’s a bit of smoke in here,” Jared murmured.

“It’s fine, we can just talk here,” I said, handing him the contract Edward sent over. “This is a new deal. Check it

out.”

Jared sat in his big ck chair, carefully flipping through the contract. Then he looked up at me. “Edward gave you this deal?”

“Yeah, I think it’s a great opportunity. It’ll really help us get our brand out there,” I said. “And from what I can tell, it’s a guaranteed win for us.”

Jared always saw the bigger picture when it came to market analysis. He nodded. “Yeah, looks like this contract is tailor–made for you. Edward really doesn’t mind sshing out to back your career.”

…

b69 /b

55 vouchers

I paused, a little stunned. ‘Wait, a contract tailor–made for me?‘

Jared set the contract aside, pressed his finger to his lips, biting it thoughtfully. “Why jump through all these hoops? Wouldn’t it be easier for him to just wire the money straight to your ount?”

“Jared, if you think this deal isn’t right for us, we can just drop it. But please, don’t take it out on me,” I said. He was the boss, after all—he had the final say on everything.

Jared let out a self–deprecatingugh. “You know, people like you who bring in their own connections and deals are exactly the kind of talent everypany wants to steal.”

I frowned. “Can you stop being so salty? Just tell me if we’re moving forward with this deal or not. I need to get ready for the next round of negotiations.”

Jared nced over the contract a couple more times, then nodded. “Yeah, let’s go for it. This one’s all yours.”

“Awesome!” I replied, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders as I reached out to grab the contract.

But just as I reached for the contract, Jared’srge hand came down, stopping me. He stood up from his chair, his tall frame looming over me. “Victoria Murphy, are you catching feelings for him?”

“What?” I looked up at him, confused.