Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 108: The Best

Chapter 108: The Best

"Mrs. Evans," the woman on the other end said, her tone professional but warm. "Your test results are ready."

Jerica’s heart leaped. "Could you tell me now?"

There was a pause, one long enough to make Jerica’s stomach twist. "I’m sorry," the woman said carefully, "but we’ll need you to visit the clinic in person to discuss your results. And please, bring someone with you."

Jerica frowned, her grip on the phone tightening. "Why do I need to bring someone?" she asked, her voice tinged with unease.

"It’s standard procedure in certain cases," the woman replied, her tone nonchalant yet not entirely convincing. "We’ll explain everything when you arrive."

Jerica sighed heavily as she ended the call. She couldn’t help but replay the woman’s words in her mind. Bring someone with you? Did she come off as overly emotional or unsteady during her last visit? Or was there something more serious lurking behind those words? The thought made her stomach churn.

Before she could dwell further, Jared appeared, his face still composed from his discussion with the authorities. "They’ve got my statement," he said, brushing his hands on his jeans. "They’re going to handle the bear."

Jerica nodded, and together they walked over to give her account. Once the formalities were out of the way, they started toward the bus, Jared walking slightly ahead, as though shielding her from any lingering stares. He was unusually quiet until they reached the vehicle, his eyes scanning her face as if sensing her unease.

"What was that phone call about?" he asked, his voice low but steady. He sensed that she was not the same after the phone call.

Jerica hesitated, unsure of how to explain the strange request. "It was the clinic," she finally said. She did mention her visit to the fertility clinic to him. "They’ve got my test results, but they wouldn’t tell me over the phone. They want me to come in and bring someone with me."

Jared’s brows knit together, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly. "They asked you to bring someone along?"

Jerica shrugged, attempting nonchalance. "I guess it’s just protocol or something. It’s probably nothing."

But Jared didn’t seem convinced. His eyes searched hers, a flicker of worry breaking through his composed exterior. "Jerica, that doesn’t sound like nothing."

"It’s fine, Jared," she replied, trying to wave off his concern. "I’m sure it’s just because I’ve been a little... emotional about this whole baby thing."

He didn’t say anything immediately, his face unreadable. But his silence spoke volumes. Jared was the kind of man who didn’t overreact—he was logical, measured. For him to look this concerned was enough to make Jerica’s chest tighten.

"I’ll go with you," he said finally, his tone leaving no room for argument. "When’s the appointment?"

Jerica blinked, surprised by his insistence. "They didn’t give me a time yet. I have to call them back to schedule."

"Then do it," he said firmly. "And let me know. You’re not going alone."

For a moment, Jerica felt a pang of gratitude, mixed with something deeper she couldn’t quite name. She nodded, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Okay."

As they boarded the bus, Jared’s hand found hers, squeezing it gently, and he didn’t let go the entire ride. Jerica leaned against Jared’s shoulder, not caring about the curious eyes of their coworkers around them. The warmth of his presence was a soothing balm, grounding her after the chaos of the day.

Jared, however, noticed the subtle glances and the furtive movements of phones as a few snapped pictures of them. He smirked, his sharp eyes catching on to their antics. It wasn’t long before his phone buzzed with a series of anonymous texts, accompanied by the very same pictures being taken.

"Looks like your wife is cheating on you, Mr. Evans..." one text read.

"She’s gotten herself a successful man at work—guess you weren’t enough," another taunted.

Jared’s smirk deepened as he scrolled through the messages. He had anticipated something like this. Without hesitation, he forwarded the texts to Nick, his trusted friend and tech-savvy confidant. Within minutes, Nick had tracked down the senders and sent Jared their names.

The bus was filled with chatter and laughter, the group immersed in their games, when Jared suddenly stood and moved to the front of the bus. His commanding presence silenced the conversations almost immediately.

"Sorry to interrupt," Jared began, his tone casual but laced with a sharp edge. "But I thought we could all enjoy some... light reading." He held up his phone, scrolling dramatically. "I’ve been receiving some very interesting messages. Let’s start with Nolan, shall we?"

The color drained from Nolan’s face as Jared began reading aloud. "’Nolan wrote that my wife’s been cheating on me with a successful man in the office. He also added that she’s materialistic and—’" Jared paused, humming as though pondering something deeply. "’—oh, here’s the kicker. Nolan says I should ’do better.’" Jared looked up, his smirk widening. "Nolan, should I be flattered? Or... is there something you want to confess? Crush on me, perhaps?"

The bus erupted in laughter, though Nolan shrank back in his seat, muttering protests.

"And here’s another gem," Jared continued, scrolling to the next name. "Greg says, ’I feel bad for your wife. She deserves a real man.’ Greg, I appreciate your concern, but my wife seems quite satisfied with her real man, thank you very much."

The laughter grew louder, and murmurs of disbelief rippled through the group. One bold individual tried to deflect. "Wait... didn’t you give us the wrong number or something?"

Jared turned to the speaker, feigning shock. "Seriously? You all don’t think much, do you? Wow."

Before the scene could escalate further, Harold, who had been watching the unfolding drama with obvious amusement, stood up. "Alright, alright," he said, raising his hands for calm. "Let’s settle this once and for all." He looked around the bus before his gaze landed on Jared. "Jared Petrovski is Jerica Evans’s husband. They’ve been married for four years. That’s the truth. Period."

The bus fell into stunned silence. Whispers of disbelief and murmured apologies followed.

Jerica glanced up at Jared, a mix of amusement and pride flickering in her eyes. Jared met her gaze and shrugged playfully, a knowing smirk on his lips. The air of awkward tension began to dissolve, replaced by a shared sense of acceptance, however begrudging it might have been.

"Now that we’re all on the same page," Jared said, his voice carrying a teasing lilt, "let’s continue this lovely ride, shall we?"

With that, he returned to his seat beside Jerica, reclaiming her hand. No one dared take a picture or whisper behind their backs this time.

As they stepped off the bus, Jerica hooked her arm tighter around Jared’s, an unmistakable smile lighting up her face. She couldn’t help but relish the situation, especially the expression on Regina’s face—a mix of bitterness and defeat.

That’s right, bitch. He’s my man! she thought, her hold on Jared’s arm tightening possessively. Regina scoffed, turning her face away in a huff, which only deepened Jerica’s satisfaction.

"Having fun?" Jared asked, his voice tinged with amusement as he glanced down at her.

Jerica lifted her nose in a mock display of arrogance and leaned against his shoulder, her smile softening. "Yes. I got the best man," she said confidently. Pride radiated from her voice—pride in the man she married, in the life they shared. She’d always known Jared was one in a million, but seeing the jealousy in other women’s eyes only validated what she had known all along.

Jared chuckled, his lips twitching in amusement, but then his expression shifted. A thoughtful frown crossed his face. If she’s so proud to show me off, could she have thought I wasn’t proud of her? he wondered. The possibility gnawed at him, stirring an uncomfortable pang in his chest.

His mind wandered back to her occasional strange behavior, the fleeting moments when she seemed hesitant or insecure. Was it because she thought he was ashamed to show her off? Did she think that was why he had kept their marriage a secret? The realization stung more than he wanted to admit.

But that couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

Jared tightened his grip on her hand, pulling her just a little closer as they walked. The truth was, he had kept her a secret out of an instinct to protect her. He wanted to shield her from the bad people he was going against. It had always been about protecting her, not hiding her.

And yet, seeing her glowing with pride, completely unbothered by the stares, he realized he might have done her a disservice. She deserved to be seen, admired, and celebrated. And Jared decided he’d make sure the whole world knew exactly who she was and how lucky he was to have her.

His thoughts drifted further. No one even knows she’s a millionaire, he mused. People assumed he was the successful one in the relationship, but they had no idea. Jerica was smarter, wealthier, and kinder than he could ever hope to be. It baffled him still that someone like her had chosen him—a man who had started with nothing.

Jared glanced down at her, his heart swelling with affection. He leaned close, his lips brushing against her temple. "You’re wrong, you know," he murmured.

Jerica tilted her head, confused. "About what?"

He smirked, his voice soft but firm. "I’m the one who got the best."