Chapter 115

Jace's reputation preceded him. He'd banished someone who'd insulted him, even forcing the man's departure from Seavora. He was petty, but thankfully lacked the power to truly harm anyone who crossed him. Otherwise, he'd be a dangerous man, akin to a whispering advisor in an ancient court.

Tanya's expression darkened. My criticism of Jace was, in her eyes, an insult to her. Her face flushed with anger. "How can you talk about him like that? He was a man you once loved! The least you could do after breaking up is to not slander him. I can't believe you're like this."

Defending Jace? I offered a faint smile. "Decency should be reserved for those who deserve it. You were intimate with your husband's close friend while married, and then, while pregnant with his child, you were involved with my fiancé. Do you think you deserve my decency?"

Tanya's face paled. "Y-You're making things up!"

"You said it yourself. If it's nonsense, then you spoke nonsense," I said, meeting her gaze. "You said it that day in the restaurant."

Silence fell. After a long moment, she spoke, her voice shaky. "He came after me, not the other way around…"

"It takes two to tango," I interrupted, preventing her from regaining composure. To truly stop her from interfering, I needed to strike a sensitive nerve.

Tears streamed down Tanya's face. "He ruined me. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be like this. He owes me."

Her distress was palpable, whether genuine or feigned, I couldn't tell. People were starting to notice, but I wasn't concerned; we were in a well-monitored lobby. I hadn't touched her, so any theatrics were her problem.

Her words—that Jace owed her something—lingered. I recalled Jace's account of her in-laws' rejection after Desmond's death, even though she was carrying his child. Suddenly, it clicked. My chest tightened. "What does Jace owe you?"

Tanya's lips moved, but she fell silent under my gaze. Her reticence only fueled my curiosity. "Ms. Twain, why aren't you saying anything? Is it that you can't, or were you lying the whole time?"

Her lips remained pressed together. "This is my business. If you have issues with me, take it out on me, but don't drag others into it."

She was defending Jace. I thought of smashing his head. "You're talking about me hitting Jace, right?"

"He's seriously injured. The back of his head needed over a dozen stitches. You two were once in love; how could you be so cruel?" Her tone was accusatory, as if she were already his wife.

She wasn't, and her posturing was ludicrous. "Oh? Only a dozen stitches? I was actually going easy on him by not bashing his brains out," I retorted, watching her jaw drop.

"You…"

"Do you know why I hit him? Because he tried to force himself on me in the office," I said, meeting her eyes. "Maybe you're not satisfying him because you're pregnant?"

Tanya went pale, speechless. I pressed on. "Now that you know why I hit him, you should go back and figure out a solution. After all, you're a married woman with experience. It shouldn't be too hard, right?"