Chapter 12

Jace’s face stiffened. “Last night, I worried something might happen to Tanya. You know Desmond was his parents’ only son. Now, the baby she’s carrying is their whole hope. If something went wrong…”

He trailed off, but I understood.

“So, as long as it’s about her, you’ll always put her first, right?” I asked coldly.

Jace was silent for a moment before saying, “Once the baby’s born, things will be different.”

I laughed. The rising sun stung my eyes as I turned my head. I looked at him. “Jace, even after the baby’s born, there will be other problems. The baby might get sick or have accidents. As long as you can use this child as an excuse, you and Tanya will always be entangled, and I’ll always be the one you leave behind.”

Jace remained silent.

I made my position clear. “Jace, after getting married, I don’t want my husband caring for another woman every few days.”

“Rea, give me some time. I’ll sort this out.” Conflict flickered in Jace’s eyes.

“What is there to sort out? She’s someone else’s wife. Even if she needs help, it doesn’t have to be from you. And…” I paused, then continued, “Desmond had other close friends, too, right? Like Steve and a few others. Why are you the only one so involved?”

Jace’s expression shifted. “Because I was the only one with Desmond when the accident happened.”

Hearing the pain in his voice and knowing his guilt over Desmond’s death, I asked, “Jace, did you do something to Desmond?”

“Rea,” Jace said coldly, “do you really want to keep this up?”

“Yes, because it’s affecting me now.” I pursed my lips. “If you need to take care of your friend’s widow so badly, then let’s break up. This way, you won’t have to choose between me and Tanya. Besides… you’re not interested in me anymore, so why make it hard on yourself?”

As I spoke, I realized how deeply Jace’s words the other day had hurt me.

“Rea!” Jace’s anger flared.

After a moment, he asked coldly, “Break up? Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” I replied without hesitation.

“Fine, don’t regret it,” Jace said, turning and tossing a bouquet of white roses into the trash. He walked away. I stared at the discarded roses, my eyes stinging with sadness and anger. “Don’t regret it.” Those three words revealed his true thoughts—he believed I could never leave him. I muttered inwardly, “So, that’s why he thinks he can keep hurting me.”

Even though Jace and I had a falling out, I was still his employee and had to continue working, including handing over my duties. I didn’t quit immediately because I wanted to finish the project I was working on, especially the amusement park project. I had proposed this project, and it meant a great deal to me. Before my parents died, I was a happy girl, dearly loved by both of them. They took me to different amusement parks every year. My dad had once said he would build an amusement park for me someday. But after he and my mom died in a car accident, I became an orphan. A year ago, Jace bought a new piece of land. When we were discussing what to do with it, I suggested building an amusement park. To my surprise, he agreed and put me in charge. I was grateful to him for that; he had allowed me to fulfill my dad’s wish. I had dreamed of the day the amusement park opened, riding the Ferris wheel with Jace, and telling my late parents not to worry about me, that I was happy and loved. Now, it seemed that dream wouldn’t come true.