“Do you want the truth?” Hayden’s voice was calm.

“You promised you wouldn’t lie to me,” I replied, bitterness creeping into my tone as I threw his broken promise back at him.

“Kiki, I lied before because I didn’t have a choice,” he said, his eyes locked on mine, clear and unflinching. “But from now on, I swear I’ll never lie to you again.”

I dropped my gaze. “Let’s not talk about the future anymore.”

I forced a faint smile. “Let’s just focus on the present.”

When I was little, my parents painted big dreams of the future for me, but they were gone before any of it could happen. Jace promised me forever, then shattered it. Even Wayne once vowed to always take care of me, only for his love to spiral into something dark and possessive.

And Hayden? He said forever, too—right before almost marrying someone else.

So, no. I don’t think about the future anymore. I don’t trust it. All I want is to live in the now.

Hayden’s face clouded for a second before he nodded. “Alright.”

When he mentioned needing to meet Jace, I didn’t ask why. If he wanted to go, I wouldn’t stop him.

Later, though, when Jace didn’t answer his phone, Hayden came to me. “His number’s not connecting. Do you have another way to reach him?”

“The Johnston residence or the company, but the company’s shut down because of Wayne’s case,” I said, pausing. “As for the house…”

Just thinking about the Johnston residence made my chest ache. Matthew and Lindey were gone, and Jace probably couldn’t bring himself to go back. That place had lost everyone he loved.

“Then where else could he be? Any of his friends know?” Hayden asked.

I thought for a moment before calling Gavin. “Do you know where Jace is? I can’t get through to him.”

There was a pause on the line. “Ms. Kay, I was just about to call you.”

His timing was suspicious, but I wasn’t in the mood to care. “What about Jace?”

“He’s…” Gavin hesitated, “At Cloudscape Monastery.”

I froze. What was he doing there?

“Got it,” I said, ready to hang up, but Gavin stopped me.

“Ms. Kay, when are you available? There’s something I need to discuss with you in person.” His voice carried a seriousness that wasn’t meant for a phone call.

“Is it urgent?”

“It’d be best to meet within the next two days,” he replied.

“Tomorrow, then. I’m going to see Jace today.”

Sure, I was tagging along with Hayden, but deep down, I wanted to see Jace for myself.

The last time I’d seen him was when Cole had me locked up. Everything had been a chaotic blur back then.

“Understood. Tomorrow at 2 p.m., at the coffee shop by the office?” Gavin asked, as efficient as always.

“Works for me. See you then.”

After ending the call, Hayden and I headed to Cloudscape Monastery. The ride was quiet, my thoughts circling back to Abbot Levinsky and Mrs. Drago. Both of them had perished in the fire, and the memory still weighed heavy.

When we arrived, the monastery had been repaired, bustling with visitors like nothing tragic had ever happened.

I had no idea where to find Jace, so we asked around. Eventually, we spotted him—and I stopped in my tracks.

Jace was sitting there, wearing neutral-toned clothes that resembled spiritual robes. He looked… serene, like he didn’t belong in this world anymore.

Hayden and I exchanged a glance, both too stunned to speak.

Jace noticed us. His face was calm, his eyes devoid of any emotion. He gestured for us to sit. “Please, take a seat and listen for a while.”