#25 BONUS


    Seeing Tanya refuse to ept reality, I couldn’t help but sneer. “You don’t believe me? Fine. How


    about this–I’ve known Jace for over ten years. We practically grew up together. I probably even


    know his bathroom schedule.”


    I borrowed a line Steve used to tease me and Jace.


    Tanya’s face paled, her body swaying like she might lose her bnce. She shook her head, like if


    she just denied it enough, it wouldn’t be true. “No, that’s not possible. It’s not like that.”


    “Don’t believe me? Go ahead, try it for yourself,” I said, my voice cold and cutting.


    She didn’t respond. She just stood there, staring at me, frozen in ce. Then, without another word,


    she turned and stumbled away, her steps shaky as she walked off.


    I watched her retreat, but something at


    er erratic behavior stayed with me. After a few seconds of


    hesitation, I pulled out my phone and diacu Jace.


    I almost forgot he’d been dodging everyone’s calls, going MIA


    “Rea,” Jace’s voice came through the line.


    C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    He actually answered. Hearing his voice pulled me back to reality, and I thought of all the people


    worried about him–about Matthew’s condition. Without thinking, I snapped, “Where the hell are


    you? How old are you that you’re still pulling these disappearing acts?”


    I hadn’t even meant to scold him, but the words just flew out. I guess I’d been angrier than I


    realized.


    Silence on the other end, which only fueled my frustration. “Jace Johnston!” I snapped again.


    “You called just to yell at me?” His voice was low and worn out.


    I scoffed. “I’m not that bored.”


    “Right. I’m not even worth your time to yell at anymore, Jace replied, sounding almost… defeated.


    His self–pitying tone made my blood boil. “What’s with the melodrama, Jace? Running off every


    time things get tough–who even are you anymore?”


    He let out a bitterugh. “I’m human too. Even I need a break sometimes.”


    That caught me off guard. I had noeback for that. Fine,” I said, my voice calmer but still firm.


    “But at least clean up your mess before you disappear next time.”


    There was a brief pause before Jace asked, “What happened with Tanya?”


    Of course, his mind immediately went to her. I couldn’t help but let out a bitterugh before replying.


    “She wants to get rid of the baby. And she had a pretty nasty confrontation with Desmond’s mom


    today.”


    “Is she trying to get herself killed?” Jace’s voice hardened, anger creeping in.


    His sudden shift in tone caught me off guard, leaving me speechless for a second. Before I could


    even respond, the line went dead.


    I stood there, staring at my phone in shock. Slowly lowering it from my ear, I realized I hadn’t even


    Chaptermentioned Matthew.


    “Why are you just standing there?” Hayden’s voice broke through my thoughts.


    I looked up at him, trying to find words, but they just… didn’te.


    “Mommy, thatdy has blood on her butt,” a little kid’s voice piped up from nearby.


    “Shh!” the mom quickly hushed her.


    I froze. ncing over, I saw the mother and daughter storing right at me.


    That’s when it hit me.


    Oh no.


    I instinctively grabbed Hayden’s arm. “My pants… they’re stained.”


    He blinked, confused for a second, then looked down. You…”


    Mortified, I buried my face in his


    It’s my period)


    Without missing a beat, Hayden pulled back just enough, then in one smooth motion, he yanked off


    his t- shirt and tied it around my waist, covering the stain.


    My eyes couldn’t help but linger on his bare chest–his chiseled muscles, the perfectly defined


    abs….


    Even though he was mine, this was the first time I’d seen him like this, out in broad daylight.


    Suddenly, I felt a warmth trickle from my nose. Before I even knew it, a drop of blood hit the


    ground.


    Oh no…