Chapter 221

I remained calm as Tanya approached, her every step bringing her closer. "Keira," she repeated, stopping before me, tears welling in her eyes. I squinted slightly but remained silent, waiting for her to speak. I wasn't about to interrupt her emotional outburst.

"Can you just stay away from Jace?" she finally asked.

I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You guys are done. He's with me now, so you need to back off. I don't want you messing with his head." Her voice trembled.

Seriously?

I laughed. So, she thought I was responsible for Jace's outburst at work?

"So, what? You can't afford the damages and want me to help cover it?" I taunted.

Tanya's face paled. She'd previously confided in me about her financial struggles, fearing my ridicule. But I wasn't laughing at her situation—I was laughing at her audacity.

"I couldn't afford it before, but things are different now," she retorted, refusing to back down. Her bravado stemmed solely from Jace's support. She thought she could use him against me, but I wouldn't be intimidated.

"Oh, right! Silly me, I almost forgot—you're not just Desmond's widow anymore. Even his family didn't want to acknowledge you," I said with a mock epiphany.

She froze at the mention of Desmond, tears overflowing. "Keira, you don't have to bring Desmond into this. I'm asking you to stay away from Jace—not just for me, but for your own good, too."

I offered a small, sarcastic smile. "Oh, really? I'd love to hear how staying away from him is supposed to help me."

Tanya dabbed at her eyes. "Jace resents you right now. He thinks you moved on too fast and doubts you ever really loved him, even after ten years."

I raised an eyebrow. "Did Jace actually say that?"

"No," she admitted, pressing her lips together, "he's too proud to say it, but I can tell."

"Oh, so he's one of those guys who can't handle it when things don't go his way. I don't want him, but he's the one losing sleep over it?" I retorted.

"Keira, how can you talk about him like that?" Tanya bristled, defensively.

"If not like this, then how? Should I pretend he's a saint who suddenly regrets his choices now that he's stuck with you?" My words struck her hard, and she bit her lip.

She fell silent.

"Tanya, don't even try playing mind games with me," I warned. "I'm not falling for it. You don't have to test me—I'm over Jace. You took him off my hands, so you actually did me a favor. I should be thanking you."

Her lips trembled, but she couldn't find the words.

I glanced at her slightly swollen belly, deciding to end the conversation, and turned to leave.

But then she called out, "Since you don't want him anymore, could you at least talk to his parents? Ask them not to blame him."

I didn't look back. "Why should I speak up for him?"

She remained silent, and I left the amusement park without another word, heading straight to Luxe Emporium. As soon as I stepped into the lobby, I spotted a familiar face. He noticed me too and waved. "Keira, what a coincidence!"

"Mr. Shane," I greeted him casually.

Ron walked over. "Had enough of your little vacation, huh? You better be back at work tomorrow, or I might have to find someone else."

"Wow, such a threat," I said with a smile. "Don't worry, I'll be there." Just then, I noticed Steve approaching.

He spotted me. "Keira."

I gave him a small wave and turned back to Ron. "Mr. Shane, I'm here with my friend. I'll see you tomorrow."

"A friend? Or a boyfriend? Come on, introduce him!" Ron teased, overstepping boundaries. We'd only been colleagues for a few days, and he was already acting far too familiar.

I was about to refuse, but Steve smoothly interjected. "Yeah, I'm her boyfriend, so you can stop trying your luck, sir."