Chapter 474

I didn’t say a word.

Jace leaned closer. “Rea…”

“Don’t you think it’s kinda low to say something like that right now?” My words cut through the air, stopping him cold.

He froze, staring at me, his face turning red—shame and defeat written all over it. “Yeah… I’ve let my feelings cloud my judgment before. Hurt Desmond. And now, after you risked everything to save me, I’ve messed things up between you and Hayden too. And here I am, shamelessly trying to take advantage of the situation by saying something like that…”

He shook his head, disgusted with himself. “I’m not just a bad person—I’m not even worthy anymore.”

Without another word, he turned and left.

When Wayne and I headed to the airport, Jace didn’t show up to say goodbye. At the airport, Wayne handled check-in while I sat quietly in the waiting area, feeling… hollow. So hollow it was like my soul had detached, floating somewhere far off. I had no idea where I was going or what I wanted anymore.

“Miss, are you traveling alone?” A soft, sweet voice suddenly pulled me out of my fog.

I looked over and saw a little girl with blonde curls sitting next to me. She had bright eyes, her face full of innocent curiosity. Even though she was clearly foreign, something about her reminded me of home.

They say kids can heal hearts, and in that moment, I believed it. Just seeing her brought me back to myself.

I smiled. “No, I’m not traveling. I’m going…”

“Are you going home to see your mommy and daddy?” she asked, her innocent curiosity so genuine.

I wished I could. But they were gone now. Still, I didn’t want to burden a child with my sadness. I nodded gently. “And to see my boyfriend.”

“Hee hee,” she giggled, giving me a shy, playful look like I’d just shared the juiciest secret.

“What’s so funny?” I asked, tilting my head…

“Let me tell you a secret,” she whispered, leaning in closer with a mischievous smile. “I have a boyfriend too.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. It was quiet, but it warmed my heart.

“You already have a boyfriend? Wow! That’s amazing!” I said, pretending to be shocked…

She couldn’t have been more than two or three, her little voice still lisping a bit. I figured “boyfriend” probably meant a close friend in her world.

She beamed, clearly thrilled with my reaction. Leaning in again, she whispered, “I’m going to find my boyfriend too.”

“Oh? Is your boyfriend as cute as you?” I teased.

She nodded eagerly, then added, “He’s handsies.”

Handsies? Oh, she meant handsome. I couldn’t stop smiling—she was just too cute. Even at her age, she knew how to admire a handsome guy.

“My boyfriend is handsome too, and cool,” I said, thinking of Hayden. I threw in a little salute for fun.

She giggled and immediately responded, “My boyfriend’s cool too,” determined not to let her guy be outdone.

I laughed again. The weight of my earlier thoughts was lifting, replaced by the simple joy this little girl brought with her. “When I get home, I’m going to marry my boyfriend,” I said, playing along.

The girl paused, clearly deep in thought. After a few seconds, she announced, “Tata’s still little. I’ll get married when I grow up.”

Tata? Is that her name? I couldn’t help but think it was ridiculously cute.

“Tessa!” someone called.

She spun around, her face lighting up. “Daddy!”

I looked over to see a man in a dark coat walking our way.

“Daddy, Tata likes this miss,” she said, like she’d just made the best friend ever.

That’s when it hit me—her name wasn’t Tata. She was trying to say Tessa, but she hadn’t quite mastered it yet. Absolutely precious.