Chapter 111

Jace's grip tightened. "I already explained it—I was drunk and confused."

"If you can make that mistake once, you can make it again. And we both know some mistakes are unforgivable," I retorted, my voice firm.

"Stop acting so perfect," Jace snapped, his voice sharp with anger.

His anger only deepened my disappointment. I couldn't believe I'd ever fallen for him.

"Rea, you just want to leave me to mess around with other guys. Don't think I don't see what you're up to," he accused, twisting my intentions.

I was weary of this fight. "If that's what you believe, fine. I know your pride can't handle being betrayed, so just let go of me. Let me get away and make things easier for both of us."

My desperation only fueled his rage. He leaned in, attempting to kiss me.

I turned away, disgusted by the thought of his mouth—the same mouth that had kissed Tanya. Anger and revulsion churned within me.

My resistance only enraged him further. He shoved me onto the desk, his hands roughly fumbling beneath my clothes. "You won't let me touch you, but you'd let Hayden? Have you slept with him?"

His crude words and aggression filled me with shame, fear, and fury. As his hand slid up my waist, I grabbed blindly, swinging at his head.

A loud thud echoed. Jace's hands froze. His stunned expression met my gaze as blood trickled down his face.

A warm drop splashed my eyelid, and I squeezed my eyes shut. It was blood. The warmth slid down my cheek. My hands shook. Before I could process what I'd done, Jace's voice, low and cold, hissed, "Keira Kay, listen to me. You are mine."

He finally backed off. I scrambled to my feet, just in time to see him clutching his head as he stormed from the office. My legs felt weak, and I clung to the desk to avoid collapsing.

"Mr. Johnston, you're bleeding…" Gavin's shocked voice came from outside.

"Shut up!" Jace roared, his footsteps fading.

I closed my eyes, feeling drained. After a moment, I forced them open. I couldn't let anyone see me like this. I quickly went to the private restroom in Jace's office.

Standing before the mirror, I saw his blood smeared near my eye, the bright red streak resembling twisted, bloody tears. I grabbed a wet wipe and cleaned my face, then hurried out of Jace's office and left the building.

As soon as I got home and parked, my phone rang. It was Lena.

"Rea, I just saw Jace. Someone busted his head open," she said.

"At the hospital?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah, his assistant was with him. He looked pretty bad," Lena paused. "You don't feel sorry for him, do you?"

"What if I was the one who busted his head?" My response stunned her into silence.

After a few seconds, she asked, "Did he try to do something to you?"

Recalling the events in Jace's office, I said, "He tried to force himself on me."

Chapter 112