Chapter 628

When Wayne and I stepped into the Johnston residence, the vibe hit like a cold slap. Jace was there, and from the way his expression curdled the second he saw me, he wasn’t thrilled about it either.

Lindey, though? Total opposite. She rushed toward me, tears glinting in her eyes as she dabbed at them. “I’ve been waiting so long to see you,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Matthew sat slumped in a rocking chair by the couch. He looked worse than before—thinner, weaker, like he’d aged a decade overnight. When his gaze flicked to mine, it darted away just as quickly, heavy with guilt.

Some truths, once out there, can’t be stuffed back into the shadows.

“Hi, Matthew,” I said evenly, keeping it civil. I’d decided to move on, so I wasn’t about to act like he owed me anything.

He gave a slight nod but didn’t say a word. Jace got up and brushed past Wayne, his voice clipped as he said, “Come with me.”

Jace had never been one to hide how he felt. His anger was like a neon sign—blaring and impossible to miss. Everyone in the room knew exactly what was coming.

Lindey shot me a worried glance, her lips parting like she wanted to say something but couldn’t bring herself to.

The silence stretched uncomfortably between us until she finally cracked. “Rea, I’ve noticed you and Wayne seem to be getting along well?”

“He’s pursuing me,” I said bluntly. No point dancing around it.

Her face froze, and Matthew went stiff in his chair. Lindey’s mouth twitched a couple of times before she managed, “And you… have you accepted?” The tension in her voice made it clear she wasn’t thrilled.

After Jace and I ended things, she’d once hinted that Wayne might be worth considering—something about keeping me “in the family.” But now, her hesitation said otherwise, like she wasn’t sure anymore.

I could tell what had changed. The truth about everything—our broken past, the betrayal—was out in the open now, and with it came a storm of second thoughts.

“Not yet,” I said calmly. “But it’s obvious how deeply he feels for me.” I let the moment hang before adding, “You’ve known that for a long time, haven’t you?”

Lindey’s face tightened. Of course, she knew. Wayne being sent abroad for four years wasn’t random. They’d seen his feelings for me and decided it was easier to ship him off than deal with the drama between the brothers.

“Rea, since you’re bringing this up, I won’t hold back either. You’ve been with Jace before. If you were to be with Wayne now, sure, we might brush off what people say, but Jace? He wouldn’t be able to.”

I stayed quiet, letting her finish. Her voice softened, but it was heavy with emotion. “Jace made mistakes. He hurt you in ways he shouldn’t have. But he knows that now. He’s paid for it—paid dearly. And he still loves you. He wouldn’t have risked his life for you if he didn’t.”

“I know Wayne loves you too. His feelings are just as strong. But you and Jace were together for years. Even when you were with Hayden, I think a part of you still cared for Jace in a way you don’t for Wayne.”

She took a breath, steadying herself. “Hayden is gone. We all feel that loss. But life moves on. I can see you’re ready to take that step forward, and I just hope you’ll give Jace another chance. You and Jace have been through so much together. He knows now how precious you are and would only love you more because of it.”

When she finally stopped, her eyes lingered on me, waiting for my reaction.

“Lindey,” I said, keeping my voice even. “Maybe Jace would love me more now, but Wayne? Wayne has loved me for years without ever wavering. Isn’t that true?”

Her lips parted, like she wanted to argue, but instead, she nodded. “Wayne has always been steady. Once he decides on something, he doesn’t back down.”

“So someone like him,” I pressed, “don’t you think he’s far more reliable than Jace?”

Lindey froze.