Chapter 128

Just as I was trying to figure out who was harassing me, more calls flooded in—one about a ring, another about a wedding venue. Then it hit me: this wasn't a prank. When I finally asked who placed the orders, I learned the culprit: Jace.

Of course. I knew he wouldn't resort to childish pranks. Realizing his intent, I called him directly. "Jace Johnston! What the hell are you doing? We're broken up, and you're ordering a wedding dress and ring? Who are you trying to disgust?"

"Don't underestimate me. You think this is just to annoy you? You've always doubted my love. Well, let's get married now. That should prove it, right?" His words deepened my disappointment.

"Jace, do you really think love is forcing someone into marriage? Do you still not understand why I left?" I snapped.

He was quiet for a few seconds. "Isn't it because of Tanya?"

"Exactly!" I admitted. "So, what's your plan to fix that?"

A long pause followed before he said, "I won't contact her again. I'll even have her leave the company. Will that be enough?"

The tone was so unwilling, so grudging.

"And then what? You'll hide her like a mistress?" I retorted sarcastically.

Jace snapped. "Enough! Why are you being so unreasonable? Tanya is alone and pregnant. She's pitiful. Can't you show some compassion?"

His voice was loud, almost shouting. I pulled the phone away, but he continued, "You're a woman too. What if it were you? If it weren't for my family taking you in after your parents died, how desperate would you have been?"

Taking me in? Those words stung. In his eyes, I was just a pitiful girl his family had graciously sheltered.

"So, all your kindness was charity, huh?" My voice shook.

Jace was quiet. "No, that's not what I meant."

"Jace, I don't need your charity. Give your love to whoever you want. I was once pitiful, and you pitied me. Now Tanya's the pitiful one—go love her," I said, biting my lip, feeling numb.

Our love had soured, his affections had wandered, and none of it mattered anymore. The world changes constantly, so it's no surprise people and hearts do too. But I never imagined his affection was fake, mere pity from the start.

"You're being unreasonable. You know that's not what I meant," Jace protested.

"It doesn't matter. Please, just stop bothering me," I said, exhausted from the endless back-and-forth.

He let out a cold laugh. "You're my woman. If I don't let go, you have no right to say no."

His domineering words made it clear—he couldn't handle rejection. But I'd made up my mind. No matter what, I wasn't going back.

"Then go ahead and make a scene," I shot back before hanging up.

The call drained me. I trembled with exhaustion, unaware that Lena had approached me.