The Housewife's Return To Her Alluring Prime - Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Jared didn't stop me from going on the trip. Instead, he actually brought himself along, which really caught me off guard. No way, I had to find someone to stop him.
So, I came up with an idea. I set my Instagram so only Tracy could see it, then secretly snapped a photo of our two suitcases and captioned it. [Getting ready for a trip, starting from the heart.]
Five minutes later, Jared's phone rang.
He was still eating breakfast when he picked up the call. After exchanging just a few words, he stood up and stepped outside to take it.
My hint must have worked. Tracy must be calling to ask about this.
Jared finished the call and then came back to the table to continue eating.
I waited for him to say there was an urgent matter at the company, then throw me a card and tell me to go have fun on my own.
But even when Warner pulled up to pick us up and we headed out for Shaville, Jared still didn't say a word about being busy.
The moment he got in the car, he leaned back and tried to catch some sleep, like he hadn't gotten any rest last night.
I slipped on my sunglasses and gazed out at the passing scenery.
In my previous life, I poured all my energy into dealing with family and relationship drama, never taking the time to enjoy the view. Now, watching the misty rain outside, I couldn't help but feel a little guilty toward myself.
But that was not going to happen anymore. From now on, I was going to make sure I saw every beautiful place this world had to offer, and I wouldn't let myself have any more regrets.
The drive from Hachester to Shaville took about two to three hours. By the time we arrived, the rain had stopped, and the sun was breaking through the clouds, casting a warm glow over everything. It was a whole different kind of beauty.
Jared rubbed his tired, bloodshot eyes and looked out the window. "Let's get something to eat first," he said.
I quickly replied, "I'm not hungry yet."
Jared ignored me and just gave Warner the address of a restaurant.
I pressed my lips together, not saying a word. 'This trip is my idea, so shouldn't he at least listen to what I want?' I wondered.
When we arrived at the restaurant, I realized it was a traditional Shaville spot.
Shaville cuisine was all about heavy sauces and rich flavors, but the saltiness was always well-balanced. For example, the aroma filled the air, and the duck was fall-off-the-bone tender and bursting with flavor.
But I was from the south, and I liked my food spicy. These milder, well-balanced dishes just didn't really suit my taste buds.
When we got to the restaurant, Jared suddenly said, "Tracy brought a few higher-ups over for a meeting. We'll be having lunch with them. You don't mind, right?"
Hearing that, I felt a wave of discomfort. I snapped my head toward him and said, "I came here to relax, not to be someone's company at lunch."
Jared's expression darkened. "Victoria, it's just one meal. Do you really have to make such a fuss about it?"
I didn't get mad; instead, I let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, just one meal. It's like a single sesame seed dropped into my life—tiny, but when you have to keep picking up sesame seeds everywhere, it wears you out."
Jared's frown deepened, but he didn't try to comfort me. He just said in a flat voice, "If you don't want to eat here for lunch, do as you like."
"Fine," I said, pushing the door open and getting out without hesitation. I turned around, flagged down another taxi, and left without a second thought.
Through the rearview mirror, I caught a glimpse of Jared suddenly dashing out from the other side of the Bentley, standing at the curb and staring in the direction my cab was heading.
I folded my arms across my chest, thinking to myself, 'Finally, I've shaken him off.'
'Since he went behind my back and invited Tracy to Shaville, then let them be stuck together for all I care,' I thought with a sneer.
Traveling solo felt so free, carefree, and totally on my terms. I wandered wherever I wanted, stopping whenever the mood struck me. I didn't bother snapping any photos, just letting the sights sink in and become memories only I would remember.
I spent the whole day eating, drinking, and having fun. By five in the afternoon, I was worn out, so I picked the best hotel around and checked myself in.
Yvonne had called me twice earlier, but I deliberately ignored her. Now that I was back at the hotel, she was calling again.
I leaned back on the sofa and answered. Yvonne threw a little tantrum. "Mom, are you deaf or something? I called you twice, and you didn't pick up."
"I was busy. What's up?" I asked in a flat voice.
"I fell and scraped my knee. It's all red and it hurts so much." Yvonne suddenly started bawling.
I comforted her in a flat voice. "Don't cry. Just be more careful next time."
"Mom, where are you? I want you to come take care of me," Yvonne sniffled.
"I'm in Shaville," I said, not hiding it from her.
"Are you in Shaville for work?" Yvonne asked, her voice still choked with tears.
I wanted to say no, that I was here for a trip, but thinking about her hurt leg, I just said yes.
Yvonne kept complaining for a while, sounding all pitiful, but then it seemed like she got another call. She quickly said, "Mom, I've got to go. Bye."
I tossed my phone aside and walked over to the hotel's floor-to-ceiling window. The sun was sinking in the west, its afterglow lingering softly across the city.
My phone started ringing again. It was Jared calling. I acted like I didn't see it and just let it ring.
Jared sent me a text. [Where are you?]
I replied: [What do you want?]
[I'm coming to see you,] Jared texted back right away.
[You should handle your business first. I'm fine on my own,] I replied, my voice calm and steady. Gone was the needy, desperate tone from my previous life; now I sounded completely unbothered.
Jared called again, so I picked up.
His voice was tinged with exhaustion. "What do you want to eat tonight?"
I answered, sounding indifferent, "I don't really have anything in mind."
"I know you didn't like the Shaville food at lunch. Tonight, I'll take you out for something you actually like," Jared said in a considerate tone.
Suddenly, I realized that Shaville cuisine was Tracy's favorite, since her mother's family was from Shaville and her father was from Hachester.
So Jared had spent over two hours in the car just to come to Shaville and eat Tracy's favorite food with her. He's really obsessed with her.
"No need. I'm fine on my own. You should focus on your work," I replied, being even more considerate than he was.
"Where are you?" Jared sounded impatient. "Are you really by yourself?"
Hearing that jealous tone from him, I finally realized that Jared was actually suspicious of me.
He'd spent the whole afternoon getting cozy with his mistress, and now he suddenly remembered his neglected wife and wondered if I was the one cheating.
"Jared, is there really no trust between us at all?" I snapped, anger flaring. "If you're always going to think I'm cheating, maybe we should just divorce."
"I'm not doubting you. I've already handled everything on my end," Jared replied, his voice calm but firm.
I didn't want him coming over because, honestly, the thought of him having sex with Tracy.
He'd probably spent the whole afternoon cozying up to Tracy, and now he wanted to crawl into my bed at night? Please. I'm not some dumping ground for whatever mess he brings back.
"No, really, don't worry about me. I just want some time to myself," I insisted, making it clear I wasn't changing my mind.
In the end, I still didn't tell him where I was. But of course, Jared had his ways.
He managed to track me down to the hotel I was staying at that night. It was only then that I remembered that I'd used my passport to check in.
When he knocked on the door, I looked at him standing there. He seemed completely unfazed, just walked right in, and said, "I was worried you'd just pick some random hotel."
As he came in, I caught a faint whiff of rose perfume on him. That was Tracy's signature scent.
Jared set his bag down, plopped onto the sofa, and looked at me. "Sorry, I had a friend help me out. I was worried something might happen to you."
Inside, I scoffed. 'Yeah, right. He's just scared I'll cheat on him,' I thought.
Since he was already here, there was no point in making a scene and kicking him out. Thankfully, there were two beds in the room. "I'm tired. I'm going to get some sleep," I said.
Jared grabbed his clothes and went to take a shower. Before long, he came out dressed in pajamas.
Seeing that I was already in bed, he suddenly slipped into my bed and wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Victoria, don't be mad, okay?"
He knew I was upset, and he also knew exactly how to coax me when I was like this.
His lips brushed the back of my ear, trailing softly to my cheek. "Tomorrow morning, I'll go shopping with you and get you some gifts."
I immediately pushed him away and said flatly, "No need. I'm really tired."
Jared paused for just a couple of seconds, then started kissing me again. "Victoria, let me show you how good I can be tonight, okay?"