7


    Although Tanya’s presence had been annoying, it didn’t ruin my appetite. I enjoyed arge te of creamy pasta before heading back to the office.


    As soon as I got there, I received a call from Lindey. I hadn’t been home for two days, so it was normal for her to call. “Hey, Lindey.”


    “Rea, don’t stay at your friend’s ce too long. Come home tonight. I made gnhi with cumin and ground beef,” Lindey said, making me smile.


    already


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    It seemed Jace had alreadye up with an excuse for my absence.


    I had decided to move back to the apartment in Emberholm, so I had to go to the Johnston


    ce to pack my stuff. I told Lindey, “I’ll be back tonight,” and left it at that.


    As the workday was ending, Demi came up to me. “Keira, you doing okay?”


    “Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked, puzzled.


    “Office gossip. Ignore it. I’ve seen how much Mr. Johnston cares about you,” Demi said, hiding her phone behind her back.


    “Hand it over,” I said, my tone serious.


    Reluctantly, Demi gave me her phone and opened their private gossip group. The stuff they were talking about was simr to what I had heard yesterday


    Jace’s past.


    Turns out they were college ssmates, along with Desmond. There were even rumors about a love triangle back in the day.


    I hadn’t known any of this. Even if it was just gossip, there might be some truth to it.


    After giving Demi her phone back, I drove off. But instead of heading to the Johnston residence, I went to see Steve at his pool hall.


    When I arrived, he was ying billiards and invited me to join. “Want to y a few games?”


    I had been here before with Jace. He was the one who taught me how to y pool.


    I


    I took off my coat, grabbed a cue, and joined Steve.


    “Not bad, you’ve learned from the best,” he said,plimenting Jace.


    “Did you go to college with Jace?” I asked as I lined up my shot.


    “Yeah, why do you ask? Digging for some school–time gossip?” Steve was sharp.


    “Did anything happen between him and Tanya back then?” I asked bluntly.


    12


    Steve stopped and looked at me.


    I smiled faintly. “I know you won’t lie to me.”


    “There wasn’t,” Steve said as he made a perfect shot. “I guarantee it.”


    He looked at me. “Why the sudden interest?”


    “Just curious,” I replied and took a shot.


    “You’re supposed to get married tomorrow. If you’ve decided to be together, you need to trust


    each other,” Steve added. “Congrats in advance on your wedding.”


    “We broke up,” I said, making Steve’s hand falter.


    After a moment, he nodded. “Better to break up now than divorceter.”


    He was straightforward. Remembering his earlier advice, I said, “Thanks, Steve.”


    “Yeah?” he responded, puzzled.


    I didn’t exin further and left, heading back to the Johnston residence. As soon as I entered, I saw Jace’s car already parked in the driveway.


    Walking toward the house, I heard Matthew’s angry voice from inside. ‘Rea is your fiancée! How could you be carrying another woman outside the office


    Apparently, the office gossip had reached Jace’s parents. Now I knew why they had called me back.


    “Jace Johnston, if you don’t marry Rea tomorrow, don’t bothering back to this house,” Matthew yelled again.


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