Chapter 21

Tears were still running down Demi’s cheeks when she suddenly requested, “Hoses, the starving Grab me risotto.”

“On it,” I said quickly. “Want some meat, too?”

She used to be all about meat—then complain about dieting right after.

“Meat helps you heal, right? Why not?” she replied with a playful grin. The old Demi was still in there somewhere.

Her smile hit me harder than her tears. How could she act so normal when I knew she wasn’t okay? I forced a grin. “Alright. Pork belly sound good?”

“Make sure it’s marbled, not all lean or fat,” she quipped, her usual picky self.

“Got it. Only the best for you,” I promised, standing up.

But instead of leaving, I hovered outside her door, leaning against the frame. A moment later, the sound of her quiet sobs slipped through.

I pressed my back to the wall, eyes shut, my chest tightening like I couldn’t breathe. After a second to pull myself together, I headed out to grab her food. That’s when I ran into Jace.

The second I saw him, my mind flashed to the image of him coughing up blood—crimson dripping down his chin. It was so vivid, I couldn’t shake it.

He spotted me too, but neither of us said anything. He walked right past me, close enough for our shoulders to brush. No glance, no acknowledgment. Like I wasn’t even there.

After ten years, four of them as a couple, that’s all we’d become—nothing. And yet, maybe that’s what we were now. Just two people, no strings attached.

“One order of pea risotto, slow-roasted pork belly, and a salad,” I told the cashier, rattling off Demi’s favorites.

Even though I knew she couldn’t eat much, I got her extra—just in case. A dessert, too, because she deserved something sweet.

With the bag in hand, I left the restaurant. But there he was again—Jace, leaning against a car. He ignored me earlier, but now he was clearly waiting. I didn’t say anything, just stared. “What are you doing here? Not feeling well?” he finally asked.

It was a hospital cafeteria, so fair question.

I couldn’t bring up Demi, and Hayden was off-limits, so I lied, “I’m here for Lena.”

He glanced at the takeout bag. “You’re still lying to me, huh?”

I hesitated, then shrugged. “Fine. It’s for Xander. He’s hurt.”

Wayne knew, Cole had seen him—Jace was bound to find out sooner or later.

Jace’s face shifted, but barely. The last time he’d heard Xander’s voice—or Hayden’s, really—he ended up coughing blood. I bet part of him thought he’d have a chance now that Hayden was ‘gone.’

But Xander being back? It messed with that fantasy. Not that it mattered. Jace and I were long over. No way was I going back.

“Oh,” he said casually. “Is it serious?”

There wasn’t any real concern in his voice—just curiosity, maybe.

“Not really,” I said flatly.

Jace’s eyes flicked to the food. “Doesn’t seem like he’s in too much trouble if you’re buying enough for a whole party.”

I didn’t answer, and neither did he. The silence stretched between us, awkward and heavy. That’s when I noticed how bad he looked—thinner, tired. The weight loss didn’t suit him; it just made him look…off.

“Goodbye,” he finally said, turning to leave.

“Goodbye,” I whispered back, barely loud enough for myself to hear.

I carried the food back to Demi’s room, but the moment I stepped out of the elevator, two guys in black suits were waiting. They looked at me, then the bag.