Chapter 88

Some people are truly shameless. As Tanya marched toward me, that thought flashed through my mind. Anyone with an ounce of decency would avoid the ex of the person they cheated with. But not Tanya. In today's world, people like her simply didn't care. It seemed she needed to show off, to prove her perceived superiority.

"Keira, what a surprise! Here for dinner too?" Tanya chirped, her eyes fixed on Hayden. She hadn't stopped staring at him since arriving. Hayden was undeniably attractive; he turned heads wherever he went—even the elderly ladies in my neighborhood were practically drooling over him earlier.

"Yeah, I am. What, you think I'm just here for a sightseeing tour?" I retorted sarcastically. It wasn't pettiness; I simply couldn't stand her. She played innocent while behaving appallingly. Had she been upfront about her feelings for Jace, I might have respected that, even stepped aside. But no, she deliberately stepped on my toes, so whatever she felt now was entirely her own doing.

My sharp words visibly embarrassed her. But with Jace absent, who was this performance for? Hayden? Everyone possesses a degree of narcissism, believing themselves to be the most captivating person in the room. Tanya, despite her decent looks, likely had an inflated ego. As a young widow, she was probably desperate to secure a good man. But wasn't she already with Jace? Why the longing glances at Hayden? Did she simply have a penchant for the men in my orbit?

Even though Hayden and I were not involved, I resented Tanya's attention. Catching her flirty gaze, I smirked. "Ms. Twain, you're here for the maternity menu, right? The food here is excellent—perfect for someone in your… condition."

Her face flushed crimson, then paled, as she quickly glanced at Hayden. I chuckled internally. Was she seriously trying to attract his attention? She clung to Jace with one hand while simultaneously signaling to every attractive man in sight with the other. Was she planning to keep her options open and choose the best one?

Chapter 88 (Continued)

The realization that Jace wasn't her sole target was unsettling yet strangely satisfying. I wondered how Jace would react if he discovered Tanya treated him like just another fish in her pond.

"Would you like a table? Please follow me," a server interrupted.

"Yes, find us a good spot," I said, dismissing Tanya as we walked. Knowing her intentions, I casually moved closer to Hayden, but stumbled slightly. He quickly steadied me, his hand lingering briefly on my shoulder before I shifted. We settled into the seats the server had prepared. Hayden didn't inquire about Tanya. His respect for boundaries was appreciated.

"Order whatever you want," I said, showing him the menu on my phone. This time, instead of his usual "I'm not picky," he actually browsed the menu, selecting items.

While he did so, I saw Tanya on the phone. Was she calling Jace? As the thought occurred to me, Jace's car arrived. He got out, opened the door for her, and even shielded her head as if she were fragile. He'd never done that for me. That was the difference between being cherished and merely being present.