Chapter 7 Melissa was way more panicked than I was . She gripped my hand , terrified I'd make a scene . After all , Jared was a big - shot executive . She probably figured if we caused a public embarrassment , I'd end up regretting it . " Victoria , I'm so sorry . I - I had no clue … " Melissa stammered , worried I might do something crazy . I patted her hand gently and whispered , " It's fine . Where's our table ? Let's go sit . " Melissa's eyes went wide in disbelief - my calm must've thrown her off . " Victoria … " she started , then trailed off . I gave a cool smile . " I know that woman . She's Jared's assistant , Tracy . No big deal . " Melissa peeked over quickly , let out a breath , and led me to our table . Maybe my dress - part innocent , part sexy - was too eye - catching , but Jared spotted me right away . And plenty of guys around us couldn't help but look up at me , too . " Mom ! " Yvonne suddenly stood up and called out . I turned and waved , but she didn't budge . Instead , she glanced right at Tracy beside her . Tracy looked over at me . Then she reached out , brushing Yvonne's hair gently , and whispered something in her ear . But Yvonne just hung back , not moving . Jared stood me . up , took Yvonne's small hand , and walked her over . " What are you doing here ? " he asked , his eyes sweeping over Melissa perked up , smiling brightly . " Mr. Holcomb , I invited Victoria to dinner . " Jared nodded politely at her and then nudged Yvonne . " Say hello ." Yvonne mumbled reluctantly , " Hi , Melissa ." Melissa gushed right away . " Yvonne , you're getting so pretty , and you've grown so much taller . " Jared looked at me , then at Tracy , and finally at Yvonne . " Want to go with your mom ? " he asked . " No. " Yvonne shook her head firmly . " I'm done eating . Tracy said she'll take me to the arcade later . I wanna go ." " Alright . " Jared nodded and turned to me . " We're heading out ." I gave a small smile , calm as could be . " Okay ." Jared stared at me , confused . Clearly , he hadn't expected this - no scene , no anger , not even a question about the short- haired woman or what she meant to him . He took Yvonne back to their table , grabbed their stuff , and hurried off . Melissa watched them disappear through the door , then turned to me , her face full of sympathy . " I'm so sorry , Victoria . I shouldn't have picked this restaurant - I never should've let you see something that'd hurt you . " " I'm not hurt , " I said , my voice steady . " Melissa , I don't care about Jared anymore ." " What ? " Melissa's jaw dropped . 1/2 I sipped my coffee , letting out a bitter laugh . " If a guy's that clueless , trying to control him is just a total waste of time . Now that he wants to fool around out there , let him ." " Are you really okay ? " Melissa asked , her voice filled with concern . " Nope . I'm just finally seeing things . All these years , I've been focused on Jared and Yvonne . It was exhausting , and I never even got a thank - you , " I said calmly . Melissa's eyes instantly welled up , and she felt even more sorry for me , as if I was forcing myself to hold back my hurt , putting on a brave front . I picked up my wine glass and held it out to her . " Don't look at me like that . Let's celebrate . New chapter , remember ? Wish me a good future - young , pretty , healthy , and free . "