Chapter 298

“How did you end up sick?” Wayne asked, entering with a bouquet of flowers, his face etched with worry. I felt awkward lying down now that he was here, so I reached for the bed railing, attempting to sit up. Wayne gently pushed me back. “You don’t have to get up.”

“I’m fine,” I protested, still struggling. Lying down didn't feel strange with Hayden. I guess that's why he felt different.

Wayne's eyes remained locked on mine. “Seriously, what happened?”

How could I explain that I'd spiraled after learning more about my parents? It wasn't that I couldn't say it—I just didn't want to. Lately, I'd grown accustomed to keeping things to myself. Easier that way.

“Just low blood sugar. I fainted,” I lied.

Wayne looked unconvinced, his eyes scanning my face. Before he could question me further, I interrupted. “So, what did you want to tell me?”

His mouth opened, but I sensed a flimsy excuse. “It’s nothing important.”

“Wayne,” I said firmly, giving him my best unimpressed look. “If you have something to say, just say it. Don't dance around it, or I'll worry even more.”

“Let’s wait until you’re feeling better,” he said gently, as he always did. He was always careful and protective. Maybe that's why, after all these years, I'd never seen him as anything more than a big brother.

Knowing how to handle him, I adopted my most impatient tone. “Keeping secrets will only stress me out, and that’s not exactly helping my recovery, is it?”

Wayne sighed, looking cornered. “Alright, I’ll tell you.”

He hesitated before saying, “Jace had a huge blowup with my parents. You didn’t know that, right?”

“No, I had no idea,” I replied honestly. I’d seen Jace earlier, but he hadn't mentioned it.

Wayne sighed. “My mother evicted Tanya from one of Jace’s properties, and they had a huge fight. Then my father got involved, hit Jace, and threatened to cut him off from the family and RiverwaveCorp.” I knew about the eviction, but this was a whole new level of drama. Lindey hadn't heeded my advice. “So, what’s the point of telling me all this?” I asked, sensing a reason for this sudden confession.

Wayne looked at me, struggling to find the right words. I gave him a knowing smile. “You want me to talk to your parents, don’t you?”

“I know it’s not fair to ask,” he admitted softly, “but they listen to you more than anyone else, and…” He trailed off.

“And it’s all because of me, isn’t it?” I finished for him.

“That’s not what I meant,” Wayne said quickly.

I chuckled dryly. “That penthouse was supposed to be for me, but Jace let Tanya move in instead. That’s why we broke up. I’m pretty sure I told you this before.”

Wayne gave me a complicated look, and I held his gaze. “But I never mentioned it to your parents. I have no idea how they found out, but one thing’s for sure…”

I took a deep breath. “I didn’t tell them. If I wanted Tanya gone, I would’ve kicked her out the second I saw her there.”

“Rea, you’ve got it wrong. I never thought it was you. I just…” Wayne tried to explain.

I raised a hand, cutting him off. “Let me finish.”

He fell silent.

“Lindey called me about this. I told her to let it go, that it was all in the past, but she wouldn’t listen. And Matthew’s decision to come down on Jace is a father-son issue.”

Wayne’s eyes widened. He hadn't expected such a matter-of-fact response. After a moment, he nodded. “You’re right. This really has nothing to do with you.”