[Contact me as soon as possible.]


    That was Cedric’s reply.


    I quickly typed back, [Okay,] but as soon as I hit send, something felt… off.


    He said “as soon as possible“, and it hit me with this weird sense of urgency. Why was it so


    pressing?


    I tried sending another message: [If it’s more convenient, you can send me photos or any


    documents you have.]


    No response. It was like my message just disappeared into the void.


    That’s how it always went with this police officer–dude was elusive. Unless he reached out first, it


    was nearly impossible to get a hold of him.


    Thinking about my parents‘ ident, that unsettled feeling only grew darker.


    That night, I couldn’t sleep.


    I didn’t know if it was the unfamiliar ce or all the stuff swirling in my head, but I tossed and turned


    for


    hours.


    The next morning, Jace noticed instantly. “Rough night?” he asked.


    “I’m fine,” I snapped, way too defensive.


    It was pride talking–that breakup kind of pride where you don’t want anyone, especially an ex,


    seeing you all fragile and weak.


    Jace didn’t push it, but the look on his face said I’d annoyed him. Again.


    A few minutester, he broke the silence. “You should be able to see Steve today. Try to calm him


    down, and while you’re at it, ask him some questions…”


    His instructions were almost a direct repeat of what Hayden had saidst night. Clearly, they were


    on the same page–this wasn’t just about Steve. They both thought something bigger, something


    nned, was behind all of this.


    When Jace finished talking, I didn’t respond right away. He nced over at me. “Why aren’t you


    saying anything?”


    “Hayden already told me the same thing yesterday,” I said, and just like that, Jace went silent.


    I wasn’t trying to stir anything up, just being honest, but I could tell it hit a nerve.


    “He said he arranged for someone to take me to see Steve,” I added, keeping it casual.


    Jace didn’t respond, jaw tight. He looked irritated–just like he used to.


    People don’t change easily. Jace still had that short fuse, but unlike before, he couldn’t take it out


    on me


    anymore.


    I wasn’t looking to rub salt in the wound, but I asked, “Did you and Hayden go through the same


    contact


    for this?”


    “No.”


    “Then whoever gets me there first, I’ll go with them.”


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    Jace stayed quiet.


    In the end, Hayden’s contact showed up first. Jace walked me to the car, his expression stormy.


    I could tell he hated feeling like Hayden had one–upped him again.


    I remembered when Jace used to look down on Hayden, thinking he was beneath us, throwing that


    arrogant smirk his way. But in the end, it was my choice, and it left Jace–always the untouchable


    CEO- on the losing side.


    Still, Jace had one advantage: his status. He was the Johnston heir, someone Hayden could never


    touch. But then Hayden turned out to be from the Hart family of West Ridge, a family with a mining


    empire just as rich, maybe even richer, in some ways. Suddenly, they were on equal footing.


    Jace, who’d beenpetitive his whole life, must’ve been fuming. I could practically feel his


    frustration radiating off him as I got into the car. He couldn’t even get to Steve, his own friend, faster


    than Hayden.


    I imagined Jace stewing in all that, the bitterness eating at him.


    On the way to see Steve, my phone buzzed. It was Hayden: [Did they pick you up?]


    I typed back: [Yeah.]