After being reborn, I make up my mind to stop chasing after my husband and daughter

Chapter 17

I never called myself the prettiest girl on campus, but I was nominated for it once in college. Later, I lost to another girl from a wealthier family–not that I cared, though it gave the gossip mill plenty to churn over.

“The runner–up belle,” I said with a self–deprecating smile.

The man hosting us was Lloyd Johnson, dressed in a tailored suit that screamed corporate success.

People crowded around him, laying on the praise. He wore the smug look of a man who’d made it, though his gaze kept flickering to me.

Truth was, only Melissa knew I’d married Jared. The rest just assumed I had a rich husband and left it at that.

“Victoria!” A voice cut through the chatter. I turned to see the class loudmouth–a guy who’d once tried to date me.

then. It wasn’t hard to feel insecure when everyone else had successful careers while I stayed home. My bank account might have been

a stop nearby, just as a

and gold–framed glasses. When he heard that guy call out my name, he stopped mid–step and turned to look

above the door cast a glow over

what a pleasure to meet you!” Lloyd nearly stumbled in his haste to approach. “Hello, Mr. Hallman, I’m Lloyd Johnson from Luminovate Tech–we met several weeks ago.” He scrambled to pull out a business card and offered

“Mr. Hallman” nodded and took the card. “Hello,” he

gaze flicked toward me before

help it–amid a crowd of unremarkable men,

tripped over himself to close the car

the moment she saw him turn into such

stage for male bravado while we women ate in

asked about work. Then the