Chapter 192

My mouth was faster than my brain—again. Such a problem. The second the words left my lips, I realized how inappropriate they sounded. I was scrambling to backtrack when Hayden simply said, "Alright."

Wait. What? Did he just…agree? He didn’t dismiss me, didn’t make a macho comment about not needing my help. Even if he didn't reject staying with me, I expected a refusal about the money. But he didn't. He must be really struggling. The thought that he needed help for his sister tugged at my heart.

That feeling quickly passed, and I cleared my throat, regaining my composure. "Has your sister seen any doctors? If she has medical records, send them to me. I know people who could help."

"Sure," he agreed.

With nothing left to say, I stood. "Thanks for today. I should go."

Hayden looked at me. "If you start feeling sick again, call me."

"Will do," I replied with a smile, turning away and letting out a quiet sigh of relief. Being taken care of like that was surprisingly stressful.

When I got home, I leaned against the door, trying to steady my breathing. Before I fully calmed down, my phone buzzed loudly. I went to my room and grabbed it; Jace’s name flashed on the screen.

Why was he calling? I definitely wasn’t in the mood. He made me sick.

The call ended automatically, and I noticed over twenty missed calls. Besides one from Gavin, all were from Jace. Great. Gavin was probably doing Jace’s dirty work.

Why was Jace so relentless? Something must have happened. So, when he called again, I answered. "Hello."

"Rea, where are you? I need to see you," Jace’s voice was strained, like he’d been drinking.

I said nothing.

He laughed bitterly. "Oh, right. You don't want me anymore."

I remained silent.

His voice dropped, and he said my name, "Keira Kay, do you really not want me anymore? We've been together for ten years… you always loved me…"

So, he knew. Of course, he knew. He’d been manipulating me, exploiting my feelings.

"Say something! Is it really over? Are we really done?" I heard something break in the background. He must have been intoxicated. I didn't want to hear any more. "I'm hanging up."

"Don't," he stopped me, his voice desperate. "If I end up with Tanya, would it hurt you? Would it break your heart?"

There it was—the final twist of the knife. Even now, he had to stab me one last time.

"Jace Johnston," I said his name slowly, heavily, "is it only if I die like Desmond that you'd finally feel pain?"

The line went silent, though I knew he was still there. I didn't hang up either. This was the truth he’d been avoiding—the burden he’d carried, the thing he'd never faced. And now, I'd laid it bare, raw and bleeding.

I knew he was hurting. I could practically see him, drowning in guilt. But this was something he had to confront. No amount of his pain could ever compare to the loss of a real person.

After a long pause, Jace finally spoke. "You found out…"

Then the call ended. I listened to the disconnected line, unable to lower the phone. It felt like my heart was sinking into an endless abyss.

That night, I barely slept. My dreams were haunted by Jace, replaying every moment we’d shared over the last ten years. It was like an old film stuck on repeat, running in my mind all night.