Chapter 517

Wayne’s eyes darkened slightly. Just a minute ago, I’d leaned away when he’d tried to fix my hair, but with Jace, I hadn’t even flinched. The difference in how I reacted to each of them was probably hard to miss.

But since we’d just cleared the air, Wayne kept his cool. When he noticed me looking, he even gave me a calm smile and teased, “Guess you’re still more comfortable with Jace’s touch.”

I had no idea how to respond.

Jace smirked, chiming in, “Well, she almost became my wife.”

I couldn’t respond to that either.

Wayne’s smile didn’t waver. “Yeah… almost.”

Jace shot him a look, eyebrow raised, as if to say, ‘Did I say anything untrue?’

“You feel a little warm,” Jace said, pulling his hand back before calling over a passing nurse. “Could we get a thermometer?”

“I’m fine, it’s probably just—” I started, but Jace cut me off.

“Whether you’re fine or not isn’t up to you,” he said firmly. The nurse returned with a thermometer and pressed it to my forehead.

“99.9 degrees,” she announced.

Jace spoke to her authoritatively, “Please let the doctor know, and see if the blood test results are ready. We need to check for infection or if it’s just from the cold.”

He sounded like a total pro; you’d almost think he was a doctor himself.

The nurse nodded and left, and Wayne handed me a cup of warm water. “Here, drink this. It’s probably just from being chilled,” he said gently.

The way they were tag-teaming, both fussing over me, was honestly a little much.

I was about to tell them both to take a break when Jace turned to Wayne first. “You should head home. Aren’t Mom and Dad setting you up with someone tomorrow? Better not stay up too late; you don’t want to look tired.”

I looked at Wayne, surprised. “You’re going on a date? Why didn’t you mention it?”

Wayne smiled lightly. “Didn’t get a chance to mention it; Jace showed up before I could say anything.”

The implication was clear—Jace had interrupted his moment with me. Jace’s expression darkened slightly.

Though they put on a front of brotherly harmony, there was always this undercurrent of rivalry between them.

I wasn’t about to be dragged into whatever silent power struggle was going on, nor would I let myself be a pawn in it.

“Congratulations,” I said to Wayne with a smile. “If your parents picked her, she must be amazing.”

“Yeah, my parents have always had good taste,” he replied, giving me a look full of meaning that was impossible to miss. He was reminding me that I’d once been one of their “good” choices too.

Too bad that fate never aligned for me and the Johnston family.

“Wayne, Rea needs to rest now,” Jace said bluntly, making it clear he was asking him to leave.

Wayne reached out and patted my head gently, and this time, I let him. “Rest up. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

“No need. I’ll be discharged soon,” I replied, politely brushing off the offer.

Wayne just smiled and glanced at Jace. “Take good care of her, or I might just have to report you to Mom and Dad.”

Jace answered smoothly, “You won’t get the chance.” He gave Wayne’s shoes a pointed look. “Oh, by the way, I just ordered a few new pairs. I’ll have Gavin bring you one later—wearing my shoes might give you some extra luck on that date.”

Wayne chuckled, waving it off. “Nah, keep ‘em. Besides, Mom and Dad are busy finding you a match too.” He gave me a playful wink before heading out.

These two were clearly trading subtle barbs, teasing but still competing. I kept my smile polite, pretending not to notice the tension.

After Wayne left, Jace handed me the cup of water he’d been holding. “So, what do you think? Is he trying to mess with me, or… does he still have feelings for you?”