Chapter 3

I spent the entire day pondering the question. By the time Jace arrived to pick me up that afternoon, I still lacked an answer, but I went with him nonetheless. Habit is a powerful force. After ten years, I was accustomed to his presence and returning to the Johnston residence after work.

"Why aren't you talking?" Jace, sensing my mood, initiated the conversation.

I remained silent for a few seconds. "Jace, maybe we should—"

Before I could finish, his phone rang. An unfamiliar number flashed on the caller ID, yet I noticed his grip on the steering wheel tighten. His nervousness was unusual.

I looked at his face, but he quickly disconnected the call from the car's Bluetooth and switched to his earpiece. "Hello… Yes, I'm on my way."

The call was brief. He hung up and looked at me. "I've got something urgent to handle, so I can't drive you home."

This wasn't unprecedented. Even without explanation, I knew he intended to leave me. Still, I hoped he might take me home first.

A sharp pang of pain struck my heart, and I suppressed my sadness. "Is something wrong?"

Jace's jaw clenched. He didn't answer, instead staring out the window. "I'll drop you off here. You can take a cab home."

He didn't bother explaining, the arrangements already made. What could I say? Questioning him or protesting would only humiliate me.

"Let me know when you get home… Send me a text," he said while parking on the roadside.

I clutched my bag and exited the car. My apprehension wasn't unfounded. From his reaction to the call to his refusal to let me hear it through the car speakers, I had a bad feeling.

But I said nothing. Clearly, he was doing something behind my back, but I maintained the pretense otherwise.

"Be careful!" he reminded me before hurrying off, ultimately driving away without a second glance.

I stood there, gazing in his direction for a long time, then looked down at my toes.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was Lena Lane, my best friend, calling.

"Hey Rea, where are you? Want to have dinner?"

Lena, an obstetrician and gynecologist, possessed extensive experience delivering babies despite her youth and single status.

"Sure," I agreed instantly.

Lena immediately teased, "Did hell freeze over today? You always say you need to check with Jace first. Why'd you agree so quickly?"

A lump formed in my chest. For ten years, I'd lived as Jace's sidekick, always checking in with him before seeing Lena, afraid he'd be upset if he couldn't find me. But Jace's words today made me realize I had become a burden to him.

"Are you at the hospital or at home?" I asked Lena, avoiding her question.

Lena gave me an address.

"What's wrong? Did you have a fight with Jace?" Lena sensed something was amiss.

She was one of my few friends, and I didn't hide anything from her. After listening, Lena cursed, "What a jerk! Saying you're 'lacking flavor'? As if he's slept with you a thousand times!"

Her words didn't comfort me; instead, they humiliated me. In all the years I'd been with Jace, we'd never been intimate. There were moments of closeness, like that one time I got drunk and made a move on him, but he simply tucked me into bed and sent me to my room.

I used to think Jace respected me, unwilling to take advantage of me when I was drunk. Today, I realized he simply wasn't interested in me. Didn't they say if a man truly loved a woman, he'd want to sleep with her? But Jace never showed any desire for me.

"Lena, I think I'm ready to let go." The difficult question I'd wrestled with all day finally had an answer.

"Good, I support you," Lena clinked her glass against mine. "There are plenty of hunks out there, and with your looks, you can have your pick. Why settle for a two-timing jerk?"

Lena was right. At eighteen, I won a beauty pageant. If Jace hadn't stopped me, I'd probably be a celebrity by now. My beauty had attracted countless admirers and suitors over the years, but none of them moved me. 'Because the only one I want is Jace!' The thought stung my nose. I didn't want Lena to see me cry, so I hurried to the restroom.

In my haste, I collided with someone exiting, knocking them down and landing on top of them. Just as I was about to apologize, the person screamed, "Help! She's molesting me!"