Chapter 25

I smirked. Lena could tell something was up. “Did you dig up something about him and Tanya?”

She understood immediately. “He handed Tanya a penthouse that was supposed to be mine,” I blurted out.

Lena was quiet for a moment, then clenched her jaw. “Are you going to…”

She didn’t need to finish. “I’m not falling for him again.”

“What a jerk! If you take him back, he’ll just keep pulling this crap!” Lena echoed my sentiments.

“I know.”

“Okay, let’s figure out our next move. Take his call, hear him out, then meet me,” Lena paused. “I’ll get someone to cover half my shift.”

I wanted to tell her not to bother, but she’d already hung up.

Jace’s call kept coming. Finally, I answered. “Hey…”

“Keira Kay, what the hell are you doing? What’s going on?” Jace’s voice boomed through the phone.

I pulled the phone away from my ear, letting him vent. When he settled down, I brought it back. “Jace Johnston, I told you yesterday, in front of your parents, that it was your final shot.”

“Don’t give me that. Where are you? Why didn’t you come to get the license with me today?” he demanded.

Apparently, Gavin and Tanya hadn’t told him about my visit to the penthouse, and I didn’t bring it up. I simply answered his question. “I went to Cloudscape Monastery to hear Abbot Levinsky preach.”

My words seemed to stun Jace into silence. He knew he’d been caught in a lie. “Rea, let me explain…”

“There’s nothing left to explain. You’ve had plenty of chances before. Jace, it’s over.”

“Rea!”

“By the way, I’ve finished organizing all my work and sent everything to the right people, including—”

Before I could finish, he cut in with a shout, “What are you doing?”

“I’m taking my annual leave.”

“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” Jace sneered.

I remained silent, listening to the faint rustle of him removing his tie. “Fine. If you want to throw tantrums, be my guest.”

Click!

He hung up.

I smiled softly, gazing up at the sky. A bird soared past, free and unhindered. I could finally be free—free from Jace, free from the Johnston family, free to live my own life.

While the Johnston family had supported me, I’d always felt like a caged bird, unable to explore the world I craved. Starting today, I could spread my wings and reach for the world I’d always dreamed of.

I headed out to find Lena. She’d ditched her shift for me, and I knew meeting her face-to-face would calm her concerns. Lena understood the depth of my feelings for Jace. Even if I tried to downplay it, she’d worry about me.

“That was fast. Did you run red lights to get here?” Lena quipped as soon as she spotted me. “Maybe, but you’re worth it.” My words left Lena speechless, and she pulled me into a tight hug.

I closed my eyes, leaning against her. “I’m tougher than I look, you know…”

And it was true. I didn’t feel hurt or sad. It was more like losing a business deal—I felt nothing.

Lena took off her white coat, grabbed her bag, and hopped into my car. Just then, my phone buzzed—it was Lindsey calling.

Lena glanced at the caller ID and remarked, “You don’t have to pick up if you’re not ready.”

I hesitated briefly. “I can’t avoid it forever.”

With a deep breath, I answered the call.