Housewife Gone Wild

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Jared's first question was about my lunch plans.

The scent of roses intensified as he approached. | schooled my features into indifference. “Cafeteria.”

Our company cafeteria would makespecial dishes if | asked.

He watchedfor a moment. “Cto lunch withand sfriends.”

Jared's inner circle consisted of three childhood friends-two men and a woman, one couple dating since college.

In six years of marriage, I'd met them maybe five times. His invitation caughtoff guard.

“Are you sure?” Not that | minded going if he wantedthere.

“Why not? They know you.” His eyes traveled over my outfit. “When did you get this? | don’t remember seeing it

before.”

| gave a small smile. “Complete closet overhaul. What do you think of the dress?”

Jared's lips thinned slightly. “Meetdownstairs in ten.”

Men were so predictable. For years, Jared hadn't noticed what | wore, but this curve-hugging dress suddenly

madevisible.

If visual appeal was what worked, I'd play the game.

If he sawas nothing but a trophy, | might as well look like one.

His sudden interest in showingoff to friends spoke volumes.

So that was my role-nothing more than a shiny accessory. He didn’t bringalong as his wife, but as another

one of his status symbols.

When I slid into his car ten minutes later, | immediately closed my eyes.

Then his warm fingers intertwined with mine. My eyes snapped open to find his hand holding tight.

He examined my fingers with care. “Your hands are so soft,” he murmured. “All that extra care you've been

taking shows.”

I let him keep holding them. “Beauty doesn’t ccheap,” | said dryly. “I've been spending a fortune lately.”

“Good thing | can afford it.” He pulled a platinum card from his pocket. “Your birthday’s the PIN.”

| took it with a smile. “How could | ever let you go when you spoillike this?”

I'd said it lightly, but Jared wasn’t laughing. His hand clamped down on mine. “Are you seriously thinking about

leaving me?”

| pouted slightly. “I just mean... feelings can change unexpectedly.”

“Don’t overthink it.” He squeezed my other hand, and then stiffened. “Where's your wedding ring?”

A cold dread washed over me. I'd promised on our wedding day never to remove it.

1 feigned surprise perfectly. “Oh no, where is it? Did | lose it?”

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Jared's forehead creased. “A diamond ring doesn’t just disappear.”

“It must be because | lost weight,” | said softly. “I dropped from 132 to 110 pounds. Sorry, sweetheart, that ring

cost a fortune.”

My act convinced him completely. “Don’t worry,” he said, patting my hand. “We'll buy a replacement this

afternoon.”

“No need. | have others at home.” Truth was, I'd rather have the cash equivalent than another ring from him.

“Those don’t count. They're just everyday jewelry.” Jared was old-fashioned that way. In his mind, only he could

buy my wedding band, and I had to wear it forever.

“Darling, why don’t you givethe money and letchoose my own ring?” | dropped the pretense and spoke

my mind directly.

Jared frowned slightly when his phone rang. He kept hold of my hand, absentmindedly stroking my fingers while

he took the call.

After hanging up, Jared said, “I've got things to do this afternoon. Go pick it out yourself-I'll have the money sent

to you.”

“Thanks, darling,” | said sweetly, leaning against his arm and conveniently forgetting to mention the card he'd

just given me.

If Jared sent the money, I'd quietly save it all. As for the wedding ring, sthrift store ring would do-that was

all his Jove

was worth.

When we arrived at the restaurant, Jared's friends were already there-all around our age, all from the same

privileged circles.

The only difference was that while they still relied on family allowances, Jared had already taken over the family

business. Sprivileged upbringing, but he was clearly the most capable.

“Oh, you brought Victoria!” a bright female voice called out cheerfully.

The woman, Sandra Lynn, was dressed casually but elegantly. With her delicate features and the soft lilt of her

Shaville accent, she had that classic, refined beauty.

Having metpreviously, they were all quite at ease.

Jared made the announcement. “Victoria's joining the business. I'm putting her in charge of the Harmonia Hotel.”

“Cool,” said Wendell Wright, Sandra’s boyfriend. He was easygoing but had a wicked tongue.

The other guy, George Thomson, was the more level-headed one.

| didn’t know them well-our last meeting had been over two years ago, and I'd never bothered to.ask how they

were doing. Then again, rich kids never sit still for long.

We lounged on the balcony, soaking up the sun while waiting for lunch. Their conversation drifted to market

trends, and | listened without jumping in.

“You've lost weight, Victoria. And your style’s improved,” Sandra remarked. Women always sized each other up,

and she’d been eyeingbefore tossing out the compliment.

Just like that, the attention shifted to me-along with the conversation.

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Chapter 30

Jared smiled. “Victoria was always a bit slow to mature, still so childlike until recently. She seems to be coming

into her own

now.”

“That's because you've been spoiling her rotten. You never gave her a reason to grow up,” Wendell said with a

chuckle.

Jared's expression froze momentarily at the remark.

Sandra pinched Wendell’'s arm. “What nonsense are you spouting? Are you saying Jared isn’t loving enough now,

so she had to mature?”

Jared's gaze fixed on me, piercing and intense. | simply smiled without responding.