Chapter 169

Overhearing Tanya and the nurse, I learned she’d suffered a nasty fall at the amusement park earlier, jeopardizing her pregnancy. Something had indeed happened to her, but who could she blame? "You reap what you sow" seemed perfectly applicable.

After the nurse finished setting up Tanya’s IV, Tanya and Jace sat across from Hayden and me. Jace clearly intended to confront us. Initially, he only glared, but Hayden and I pretended he wasn't there. We knew his silence wouldn't last.

Sure enough, within minutes, Jace accused, his voice dripping with suspicion, “Rea, what’s the deal with bringing him back to my home tonight?” I anticipated his outburst and remained calm, my expression neutral. “It means I’m starting a new life,” I replied.

Jace scoffed, his eyes disdainfully flicking toward Hayden. “Yes, with him,” I added, placing my hand on Hayden’s.

Jace laughed bitterly. “You’ve blushed when lying since childhood. Maybe I’ll believe you when you break that habit!”

My ears burned; I'd forgotten that tell. I resisted the urge to touch them. Any sign of fluster would expose our charade. Jace stared, a smug smile creeping onto his face, conveying his disbelief.

“Her ears turn red when she’s angry too,” Hayden interjected.

Jace shot him a venomous glare, but Hayden's words were a lifeline. He was right—I blushed when angry. But how did he know that? We hadn't known each other long. His perceptiveness surprised me.

“My ears are red now because you anger me,” I said calmly.

Jace’s anger flared, but instead of exploding, he sneered, “You’re just doing this to annoy me because you know you’ll always be my girl.”

The audacity! Tanya’s crimson face confirmed her humiliation.

Just as I was about to retort, Hayden took my hand and kissed it. The warmth of his lips spread across my skin. Jace might have thought he had the last word, but Hayden's action was far more impactful. Though I knew it was an act, the lingering warmth heated my cheeks.

Hayden’s boldness only enraged Jace further. He stood, but Tanya restrained him, her eyes brimming with tears. “I just want to finish my treatment in peace. If you don’t want to stay, I’ll remove the IV myself.”

She reached for it, and Jace immediately stopped her. Her tears fell heavily. It worked; Jace calmed down.

The nurse then removed Hayden’s IV. He stood, his shirt slightly wrinkled from sitting. Without thinking, I smoothed it, acutely aware of Jace's intense gaze.

To truly end Jace’s delusion, I needed something drastic. Grabbing Hayden’s collar, I pulled him down and, standing on tiptoe, kissed him.