Since I couldn’t shove Jace off, there wasn’t much else I could do. He really was something–so full


    of himself.


    But if he wanted to live in his little fantasy, fine. Let him. The deeper he clung to his delusions, the


    harder he’d fall. Maybe that was karma catching up with him. Or maybe it was my parents, watching


    over me, making sure he stayed stuck in the past while I kept moving forward.


    “Gavin will bring you a phone soon. Get some rest,” Jace finally said, releasing me.


    He turned and walked away, back straight–just like always.


    There was a time I’d watch him walk away and feel a rush of happiness. Now, I felt nothing.


    Detached. Like he was a stranger.


    I headed downstairs, and as soon as I hit the lobby, there was Gavin already waiting for me. “Ms.


    Kay, Mr. Johnston asked me to get you a new phone, the same brand you prefer, but it’s thetest


    model,” he said, handing me a bag.


    I didn’t even look at it. “I don’t need it. Just give me your phone,” I replied, not in the mood for any of


    Jace’s so–called generosity.


    Gavin froze for a second. “Ms. Kay…”


    Whatever he was about to say, he swallowed the moment he saw the look on my face. He knew me


    well enough to know that when I said I didn’t want something, I meant it.


    “Are you going to let me use your phone or not? If not, then forget it,” I said, already turning toward


    the door.


    “Of course, of course,” Gavin said quickly, handing over his phone.


    I took it, ncing at him before dialing Hayden’s number. Gavin wisely gave me space, stepping


    away as I pressed the call button.


    “Sorry, the number you are trying to reach is temporarily unavable.”


    The automated message made my grip tighten around the phone. Hayden’s phone was


    unreachable. Had he already boarded a flight home?


    I tried calling my own phone next, just in case, and it rang. But no one picked up.


    ‘Something’s not right.”


    For a second, I wondered if he was mad enough to block me, refusing to take my calls. But that


    wasn’t like him. Hayden wasn’t that kind of guy–he wouldn’t just shut me out, no matter how upset


    he was. He’d at least hear me out.


    ‘Then why can’t I reach him?


    A wave of worry rolled over me, so I called the hotel where we’d been staying. The front desk


    confirmed it: Hayden had checked out.


    He was gone. And I had no clue where.


    My mind was racing, but I forced myself to stay calm.


    Panicking wasn’t going to help. Gavin was still nearby, and it was too early to start blowing up


    anyone else’s phone, especially Steve’s. He had a bigpetition today, and by now, he was


    probably already at the venue.


    Taking a deep breath, I put the phone away and walked back toward Gavin, handing it over.


    Gavin opened the car door for me–Jace’s car, his usual one. I’d ridden in it so many times before.


    There was a time I thought I’d never sit in it again.


    But I wasn’t going to be dramatic. Letting go wasn’t about avoiding every trace of someone’s


    existence. It was about being able to face them and their world without getting all tangled up in


    feelings.


    Yet, the second I slid into the seat, I realized… I wasn’t quite there yet.


    Everything in the car was exactly the same. Nothing had changed. Even the neck pillow on the


    passenger seat–my neck pillow–was still in its ce.


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


    I used to rest on it during ourmutes to work, back when Jace and I were inseparable. But now?


    We were broken up, and he was publicly with Tanya. Shouldn’t he have tossed it by now?


    Had he forgotten? Or was he still clinging to some delusional hope that I’de back and use it


    again?


    Lost in thought, I barely noticed when Gavin handed me a small box. The packaging caught my


    attention, pulling me back to the moment. I looked at him, confused.


    Gavin smiled. “Mr. Johnston arranged this.”