Housewife Gone Wild

Chapter 218

I kept my eyes shut, the alcohol churning sourly in my gut. Words deserted me. What worries could I possibly justify? The very fact that I had to conceal my divorce screamed failure loud enough.

For the entire ride, I feigned sleep, maintaining a stony silence toward Jared. He remained silent as well.

Since I hadn’t given the driver my new address, he defaulted to driving me straight back to the villa. When I opened my eyes, I only wanted the driver to

turn the car around.

“Victoria, we’re here,” Jared said, uncannily echoing my thoughts. “It’s past eleven. Let Warner head home. His wife just delivered their second child. He

needs the rest.”

I glanced at Warner. Exhaustion was etched deep on his face. Murmuring thanks, I stepped out into the night.

Standing beside Jared, the chilly night air sliced through the alcohol haze, sharpening my senses. Without a word, I turned and walked away.

you’re going?” His voice was tight. “This is your home. You lived here for six

I stated, my voice glacial. “I’m going

through the quiet street, raw and desperate. “What the hell do you want from me? How much do I have to give in?” His voice cracked, teetering on the edge

in–the bitter taste of being the supplicant was etched into

behind, trapping me against him. His voice was thick. “Victoria, I was

was alcohol talking–sober Jared would never let such

otherwise,” I retorted, twisting futilely against his

as if trying to fuse me back into his existence. “Jared, stop! This

his plea dissolving into raw desperation. “Don’t leave, Victoria. Please. Just

The single word was arctic. That glacial tone was meant to shatter the last of his illusions, to force the brutal truth into his consciousness: the woman who had

me love you,” he begged, the words fracturing. “You don’t have to love me back.

love? I don’t want it.

grip slackened. Seizing the instant, I broke free

last thing I needed was a protracted scene on the

the villa gates,

past midnight when I finally reached my apartment. Bone–weary, I managed a quick shower before collapsing into bed,