I had no clue what Jace was after, so I kept quiet, letting the silence stretch. But of course, he didn’t
wait.
“My parents can’t stand Tanya, especially my mom. Do you think… maybe you could say something
nice about her to help out?”
Seriously?
Was he for real? Asking me to talk up Tanya? Either he’d lost it or he thought I was a total doormat.
“If you really want me to say something, it’s not gonna be anything good,” I shot back, not even
pretending to be calm.
“Rea, I-”
“Jace, I’m not a saint. I’m definitely not the bigger person here. And Tanya? She means nothing to
me. So why would I go out of my way to say something nice about her?” I snapped.
Jace’s voice cut through the silence again, “Are you acting like this because you’re jealous?”
I let out a dryugh. “Oh, so that’s what this is about? You’re fishing to see if I’m jealous? Well, let
me save you the trouble–I’m not. Actually, I’m kinda relieved. Relieved I figured you out sooner
rather thanter.”
Jace sighed on the other end. “The only thing I gave Tanya was a title. I owe her that much, but
honestly, there’s nothing between us.”
I frowned, already over it. “That’s your problem, Jace. Not mine.”
“But I don’t have anyone else to talk to,” he said, sounding frustrated, almost desperate.
Hearing him like this–so defeated–was weird. He’d always been so cocky, so in control.
But honestly, none of that mattered anymore. Whatever mess he was in? Not my problem. We were
both grown, and he had to deal with the fallout of his own choices.
“Yeah, well, I’m kinda busy,” I said, pausing just long enough before hanging up.
I drove over to the repair shop, picked up my car, and headed straight to Lena’s.
Hayden hadn’t reached out in the past few days, but I figured he knew I was busy with Yuna.
Demi had texted me earlier, saying the lighting tests were almost done. Apparently, Hayden had
been pulling all–nighters, tweaking and adjusting the lights.
So, whatever free time he used to have had turned into sleepless nights.
When I got to Lena’s, she looked rough–her cold had really knocked her out. It wasn’t just a sniffle;
this flu had taken her down for days. She was finally getting a much–needed break at home.
“I’m still contagious, you know. Stay back or I’ll give it to you,” she teased as soon as she saw me.
I pulled her into a big hug anyway. “Go ahead, I dare you.”
She yfully smacked my arm a couple of times. “Don’t think I don’t know why you’re acting all
reckless. “You’re not even married to Hayden yet, and you’re already spoiling his little sister like
this.
“You’re the first future sister–inw I’ve seen who’s this extra.”
Since she brought up Yuna, I didn’t even try to hide my curiosity. “So, any progress?”
Lena didn’t say anything right away, so I tilted my head, giving her a look. “Don’t tell me you still
haven’t worked up the nerve, Lena. This is serious–a matter of life and death.”
“Do I look like I’m that helpless?” she shot back.
My eyes lit up. “You reached out! What did he say?”
Lena went quiet again, and I was losing patience. I shook her arm. “Come on, spill! What did he
say? Can he do it?”
She sighed. “He said… he’d be back in a few days and would contact me then.”
I narrowed my eyes, not buying it. “That’s it? Just that?”
Lena shrugged. “Yep. Just that one sentence.”
“Just one sentence?” I asked, not convinced.
She swatted my hand away. “I’m serious, that’s all he said. He’ll be back next Tuesday, and when
he’s here, I’ll take you to meet him. Don’t forget to bring that girl’s medical records.”
“Wait, I’m going too?” I blinked, surprised.
Lena raised an eyebrow. “What, you thought I’d go alone?”
I nodded firmly. “Yep. You’re going solo. I’m not gonna be the third wheel.”
Lena stayed quiet for a second, then said softly, “That perfect someone he had? She works with
him. They’re in the same group.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut.
? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.
Lena gave a sad smile. “So, yeah… there’s nothing to hope for. We were never meant to be.”