On the next floor, two more people squeezed in, making the space even tighter. My back was pressed against the wall, with Jared standing right in front

of me.

He was tall enough that when he lowered his head, his lips nearly brushed against my hair. I caught the faint scent of cigarettes on him. He’d been smoking a lot more lately. Those few seconds felt agonizingly long..

Jared seemed to lean in deliberately, closing the already minimal distance between us.

Just as we were on the verge of touching, the elevator dinged open at the third–floor restaurant. Most of the passengers were here for lunch, and with a rustle of movement, everyone spilled out.

I could hear Jared’s breathing grow slightly uneven, but as soon as the crowd dispersed, whatever tension had been between us evaporated. I turned and walked out without looking back, while Jared seemed to veer off toward the restroom.

The private dining room, set for over a dozen guests, was impeccably arranged. By the time we arrived, the first dishes were already being served.

The conversation around me continued, mostly centered on the hotel industry, until someone asked how many children Jared and I had after so many years of marriage.

When I mentioned we only had one daughter, the glances exchanged around the table spoke volumes. Of course, the Holcomb family would never settle for just one daughter. It was clear Jared would eventually remarry to secure an heir.

of smoke again. Without hesitation, he took

conversation. Midway through the meal, Jared’s phone rang. When he answered, I

himself to step outside.

an ant on a hot griddle, practically

I analyzed Jared and Tracy’s relationship. In my previous life, Tracy ha without any

bow with Tracy.

side

I had given them the chance to do things properly: Jared could marry her, grant her the status she deserved, and spare her the whispers and judgment they’d endured before. In a way, I’d done them

speeding in the opposite direction. Jared remained single, Tracy grew desperate, and despite her efforts to bond with both

have invited me for coffee last time, wearing the lovesick expression of

sense of satisfaction, Call is buman nature,

“Testing’s sick To heading back to Hachester

may be outing and her

trudn’t argue

puing tash just sind

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