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

Chapter 148

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In my previous life, Quinn and I were oil and water. She thought I was a freeloader because I asked Jared for money and called me a parasit When I refused to divorce him, she cornered me at the door and shouted every insult she could think of. Remembering that sharp tongue o hers, this time around, I’m not giving her an inch. If she jabs at me, I’ll jab right back.

I slid onto the couch next to Jared. They were deep in conversation. Apparently, some high–profile, blue–blooded figure was being flown in from Braylin for medical treatment, and John was trying to pull strings for a visit. So far, no luck.

Jared shook his head. “Sorry, I can’t make that happen.”

John sighed in disappointment, then filled us in. “The old man’s in his seventies, doesn’t have long. Word is his kids are tearing each other apart over the inheritance. A car accident overseas took out the second son a few weeks ago.”

A shadow crossed Jared’s face. His long fingers tapped the edge of the coffee table. “The richer the bloodline, the nastier the feud. And that family’s connected to forces way deeper than money. Life and death are always up in the air with them.”

John nodded. “The guy’s soft spot is his youngest grandson, brought the kid along for his treatments. Wherever the grandpa goes, the kid goes. If the old man dies, that boy’s in trouble.

“His dad was killed years ago, so he’s only got his mom’s relatives for backup. I’m betting his grandpa leaves everything to him in the end.”

Jared’s brows inched up. “The grandson’s in his twenties, right? Which school?”

“Shaville University. Senior year,” John said, clearly well briefed.

“Okay, Uncle John, I can introduce you to a couple of people. Whether you land a meeting is on you.” With that, Jared stood and stepped outside to make a call.

I caught maybe half the story–old–money clan, ugly succession war, a kid about to get steam–rolled.

At dinner, Jared got pulled away by another phone call, so I stayed with John’s family. The older relatives zeroed in on one topic: when I planned on giving them a baby boy.

the perks of having a son while I smiled,

the hotel, it was past ten. Instead of phoning Jared, I asked

tour, pointing out

text from Tracy: [Mr. Holcomb’s drunk. You should go

at the message in silence, then tossed the phone onto the seat and turned to the window. The car stereo was playing a moody Secret Garden

hot–and–cold routine these past few days? Classic. At the end of the day,

you must.

made it back to the hotel, showered, and went straight to bed.

at a little after two–thirty a.m., the door banged open. Jared stumbled in, dead–drunk, half–carried by the chauffeur. Their noise

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Chapter 148

V–neck, and anything but modest, I padded into the living

driver’s eyes locked on me for one stunned heartbeat, then shot to the floor. Jared waved him off

every inch the gorgeous wife who knows the family dog’s been rooting in garbage and

reel. He

fun tonight, honey?” I asked, ducking out of reach and heading back to the master bedroom.

29

He woke up on the couch, stiff and furious. “Victoria, did you seriously leave me out

chair flipping through Vogue. “Sorry, babe. Me gragging a six–foot man to bed wasn’t happening. At least I made sure you didn’t face–plant

a.m. and this is

my head. “Thought Tracy had you covered. Surprised she let you come home. How inconsiderate of

eyes narrowed. “How do you know

“She texted. Very thoughtful of her,

of his nose. “Tracy was just… looking out for me. She didn’t