Chapter 9

Jace agreed to join us without consulting me. Tanya sat down, studying the food with a connoisseur's expression. "Grilled fish," she declared, "I've been craving this lately."

"Shall I order you some foie gras as well?" Jace asked casually.

"And add some dessert—yogurt ice cream with strawberry sauce—and orange juice," Tanya added, then turned to me. "Keira, would you like some orange juice too?"

"No, I'll have water," I replied, placing a piece of foie gras in my mouth. It was smooth, delicate, with a faint milky aroma.

Tanya's words, "Jace, was the foie gras you brought me before from this restaurant?", made me pause mid-chew. I looked at him, noting his slightly stiff expression. "...Yes," he replied.

No wonder he knew the foie gras here was good. He had bought it for Tanya multiple times, while today was my first—only because he felt guilty. Suddenly, the foie gras in my mouth lost its flavor, making it hard to swallow.

"No wonder the smell seemed familiar," Tanya said, smiling at Jace with a tender look that made me feel suffocated. She then looked at me. "Keira, Jace must have brought you here often, so he knew the foie gras was good and brought it for me."

As if stabbing my heart wasn't enough, she twisted the knife. The feeling was utterly clear now. I looked at Jace. "No, this is the first time. I'm not as lucky as you, Mrs. Blake."

Tanya's smile faltered, and she lowered her gaze. "Desmond left me and… our child. Where's the luck in that?" Her voice quivered, tears rolling down her cheeks.

I was taken aback. "Huh? Just one sentence and she's crying?" I thought.

"Tanya," Jace called out sternly, handing her a tissue. "Don't think too much. Don't cry now; it's bad for the baby."

"If Desmond were here, I wouldn't have to eat alone," Tanya said, wiping her tears. "Sorry, my emotions are unstable due to the pregnancy. I've ruined your meal. I should go…"

She began to stand, but Jace grabbed her hand to stop her. "You're overthinking. Besides, we already ordered the food. Try this grilled fish; it's delicious." He released his grip and placed a piece of fish on her plate.

I spoke up, "Jace, why are you using your cutlery to serve her? Use the serving utensil." Jace's hand froze mid-air. The atmosphere became awkward.

Tanya glanced at Jace and spoke considerately, "Jace, there's no need to serve me. I can do it myself."

Jace placed the fish portion on his own plate. He then took my plate, added another portion, and removed the bones for me. I had once choked on fish bones, and ever since, Jace always removed them for me whenever he was around. He was always like this, giving me a hard time and then placating me with a sweet gesture.

"Keira, Jace is really good to you," Tanya sighed.

"Who else should he be good to if not me?" I replied, putting the fish in my mouth. After swallowing, I continued, "If he were good to other girls too, that would be wrong, wouldn't it?"

Tanya glanced at Jace again. "Yes, that's true," she said softly. Her flirtatious behavior was obvious unless I was blind.

"How far along are you?" I changed the subject.

Before she could answer, Jace interrupted, "Rea, your foie gras will get cold. It won't taste as good." I wasn't dumb; I knew he was trying to stop me from asking Tanya that question. He had told me the baby wasn't his, so why couldn't I ask? Even if there was nothing to hide about the baby, Jace's behavior showed he was way too worried about Tanya. And his fiancée was me.

"The taste is already bad now," I said. After learning he had brought Tanya the same food, I didn't want to eat another bite.

Jace noticed my tone and looked at me. We stared at each other silently. The warmth and happiness from when we had entered the restaurant were completely gone. It was true—a moment meant for two couldn't easily include a third person.

Just then, the waiter brought the foie gras, dessert, and orange juice Tanya had ordered. He set them down and asked politely, "Would you like the foie gras cut?"

"No thanks," Tanya said, then turned to Jace. "Jace, could you cut it for me? You always do it perfectly."

I interrupted, "The restaurant offers a cutting service. Let's not bother Jace, especially since he needs to take the bones out of my fish. He might be too busy."

Tanya bit her lip. "Sorry, Keira, I didn't consider that. I'll cut it myself."

"Tanya!" Jace called out sternly for the third time. "Tanya doesn't trust food handled by others. She needs to be careful because of her pregnancy."

I laughed. "Then which of the food here wasn't handled by others?"

Jace fell silent. Tanya looked upset and worried. "Sorry, it's my fault. Jace, don't be mad at Keira. If it's like this, I should leave."

She started to stand again, but Jace held her back. "Don't mind her. She's on her period and is emotional. Besides, she's always like this."

Jace's words had barely settled when I felt a warmth below. I looked at him. "You're right. My period just started, and I didn't bring any pads. Could you buy a pack for me?"

Jace frowned slightly. "You know your period is due. Why don't you have any in your bag?"

"Aren't you the one who remembers my cycle, my thoughtful fiancé?" I smiled, but it didn't reach my eyes.

Though clearly annoyed, Jace stood up. "You two eat first. I'll be back shortly."

Only Tanya and I were left at the table, but neither of us touched the food. We sat in silence. A few seconds later, Tanya spoke first: "Keira, you really hate me, don't you?"

I thought, 'At least you get it.' I didn't bother pretending. "Hate is too strong a word, but you do make me uncomfortable." I pursed my lips, looking at her pitiful, pretend-sad face. "Jace is my fiancé. We're about to get married. You constantly seek him out, even calling him away in the middle of the night. Don't you think that's crossing the line? Would you like it if someone did that to you?"