Jared’s pupils contracted sharply at Yvonne’s words.
It was only in this moment that he truly realized her determination to end things. Everything he’d always believed to be unshakable was now being denied.
They’d known each other for 18 years. How could he not understand her?
With every complicated emotion crushing his chest, Jared found himself unable to speak.
This time, Yvonne had really slipped out of his control. It had to be an act, right? She was just pretending. She had to be.
After a brief silence, Yvonne left the cafe. The cool night breeze brushed past her skin, and she felt an unexpected sense of relief.
Just then, Harold tried his luck again, offering his phone once more. “Ms. Jamison, let me get your number.”
Yvonne didn’t reject the request, but she looked at him and said, “Mr. Quillan, I don’t think we’re a good fit. And I won’t be meeting you again under the pretense of a blind date.”
Harold was disappointed. He might’ve gotten her number, but she’d still rejected him.
Without another word, Yvonne turned and walked away.
As she walked, her gaze drifted toward the cafe window. Through the glass, she spotted Jared’s tall figure standing under the lights. He was staring straight at her. Even from a distance, the darkness in his eyes was unmistakable. It was like an eerie warning. Yvonne frowned and kept walking.
A few minutes later, Jared blocked Harold’s car at the parking lot exit.
Harold was completely taken aback. “What are you doing standing in front of my car?”
Jared emerged from the shadows and strode straight toward Harold, who’d just stepped out of the car. Without a word, he grabbed Harold by the collar and slammed him hard against the nearby railing.
Jared’s eyes narrowed with cold fury as he demanded, “Who do you think you are to go on a blind date with my woman?”
Harold’s legs nearly gave out from fear. Still, he forced himself to protest, “Your woman? Yvonne said you’re her ex! You two have nothing to do with each other!” “You don’t get to call her by name!” Jared gave a chilling smile and threatened, “No one else touches what’s mine. You got her number so you can meet her again? I’ll make sure you regret it! You don’t get to compete with me!”
With that, Jared swung his fist and landed a solid punch to Harold’s stomach.
After taking two hits, Harold doubled over, crying out in pain.
“Stop it!”
Yvonne came running back.
Seeing that Jared was about to hit Harold again, a surge of anger rose in her. She rushed forward and yanked Jared’s arm to stop him.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Quillan.”
He didn’t deserve to get dragged into this mess. This was on her.
Clutching his stomach, Harold turned and fled without a word.
Just as he got away, Jared grabbed Yvonne’s hand. His eyes were bloodshot.
“Yvvy, you wouldn’t let me touch you this whole time. And now, you finally came close to me because of some guy you went on a blind date with?”
Yvonne immediately pulled her hand back. She stood in front of Jared, making sure Harold’s car got out of the parking lot safely.
Jared’s empty hand clenched in frustration. He glared at her, barely able to contain his fury.
“You broke up with me just to go on dates with men like that? Yvvy, your taste in men is pathetic! He doesn’t deserve you! Don’t you regret dating a guy like that?”
Just like that, the breakup was no longer something they danced around. It was real now.
I didn’t use to think so. But you’re right. My taste in men is pathetic.” Yvonne wasn’t even looking in Harold’s direction. Her eyes were on Jared.
It took Jared a moment to register what she meant, then his anger exploded.
“You’re defending him now? One blind date and you’re already into him? You just left me, and this is how desperate you are to find a rebound?”
The moment he asked that question, he ended up making himself even angrier.
He cornered Yvonne, pressing in with every step, as he demanded, “What’s he got that I don’t? Huh? Is he better than me in bed?”
