Chapter 168

Jace's expression mirrored mine—utterly frozen. Ever since our breakup, every encounter felt like a messy, dramatic scene, leaving us both furious. Now, I was laughing and joking with Hayden, while Jace had Tanya clinging to his side. This was the same Jace who vehemently swore he was finished with her. The cliché about men and their lies? Never felt more real.

I hesitated only a moment before forcing myself to look away. Some people are best unseen. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Hayden, however, acted as if Jace weren't even present. He gently took my hand—not to grab my phone this time—but to say, "If you want to take pictures, just ask. I'll make sure I look good." His voice held a teasing undertone, the kind that made you wonder about unspoken possibilities. For a second, it almost felt like we were a couple.

That must have triggered Jace, because he stormed toward us. "Rea, come outside with me," he demanded, as if entitled to my obedience. He didn't even seem to care that Tanya was watching.

I didn't bother looking at him. "I don't have time for this," I said. I truly didn't. Hayden was hooked up to an IV, and leaving him alone was out of the question.

But Jace persisted. He reached out, clearly intending to pull me away. Before he could touch me, however, Hayden intervened, blocking him. Their eyes locked, and the air crackled with tension.

Neither spoke, but the standoff was undeniable. This wasn't going anywhere good, and I felt it in my gut. Hayden was still on IV fluids, and while I knew he could easily subdue Jace, a physical altercation would render his treatment pointless. I also knew that intervening would only escalate the situation; I was the catalyst for their readiness to fight, and my interference would only ignite the flames.

I glanced at Tanya, whose displeasure was evident. "Aren't you going to pull him off?" I snapped.

She initially remained motionless, but something in my tone must have startled her, because she flinched. Without a word, she grabbed Jace's arm. "Jace, I'm not feeling well. You need to take me to get my IV." Wait—what? She needed an IV too? What kind of IV?

I was still processing this when the nurse called out, "Who's here for the fetal protection IV? Come over here." It was late, so the infusion room was nearly empty; besides Tanya, there was literally no one else the nurse could be addressing.

Fetal protection? Was her baby in trouble?

I glanced at her stomach unconsciously. Tanya clung to Jace, looking fragile and frightened. "Jace, the doctor's calling me," she mumbled. She pulled him away, forcing Jace to relinquish his angry glare and follow her.

I saw it in Jace's face—he was on the verge of exploding, of attacking me, of confronting Hayden. But Tanya's distress restrained him, and he left.

Chapter 169 (There is no content provided for Chapter 169)