Chapter 52

Tanya's schemes were completely exposed, leaving her visibly uncomfortable. Even so, she maintained a facade of moral superiority. "So, you just assume there's something between Jace and me?"

I thought, Do I need to assume? Doesn't she know what she's done? But I remained calm.

Tanya's eyes reddened. "I didn't expect people to have such dirty and vile thoughts nowadays."

Look at her, acting all noble, I scoffed inwardly.

She continued, "Keira, Jace is a good guy. If you can't even trust him, you don't deserve him." Her words were clearly designed to portray me as unworthy of Jace. She had more to say.

I remained silent, waiting for her performance to continue.

She wiped away her almost-tearful eyes. "Keira, are you really not going to cherish Jace anymore?" It was a trap. Did she think I was naive?

I smirked. "If I say I don't want him, are you going to say you do?"

Tanya's face stiffened, her lips pressed together, a picture of fragile beauty. But I wasn't a man; otherwise, her act might have worked.

"Jace deserves to be cherished," Tanya said, revealing her true feelings. I glanced at her still-flat stomach and then at her flat shoes. Seems like you really want to cherish him. But do you think you're worthy?

Tanya's face twisted, and she clenched the hem of her dress.

"Just so you know, even if Jace and I don't end up together, it won't be easy for you to get into the Johnston family. You know why," I said, not to attack her, but to force her to confront reality. Even if Matthew and Lindsey accepted that Jace wouldn't marry me, they'd never allow a woman carrying another man's child into their family. Unless, of course, the child was Jace's.

My words shattered Tanya's confident demeanor. Seeing her fall silent, I grabbed my bag and left.

Instead of going straight to the Johnston residence, I went to Lena's. I hadn't changed clothes since getting off the plane. I didn't want to look disheveled and give Matthew and Lindsey the impression I was having a terrible time. That would only make it harder to leave.

Lena, who should have been asleep after a night shift, was surprised to see me. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

I knew she was busy, especially during the peak birthing season. Advancements in technology allowed for meticulous birth planning. Kehlmarkans believed that babies born in spring and summer, when everything thrived, were healthier and smarter.

"I got here yesterday. I had to handle some issues at the amusement park, so I didn't tell you," I explained, removing my shoes and walking barefoot into Lena's living room.

"Workaholic," Lena, a workaholic herself, teased.

I sat on the couch, grabbed a fresh orange from the table, and started peeling it. I gave half to Lena and ate the other half. Although staying up all night wasn't unusual for me, it always left me parched, no matter how much water I drank.

"Did you come back alone?" Lena asked, her implication clear.

I laughed. "Of course, who else?"

"Your romantic interest?" She handed me a glass of water.