If Jace actually lost his arm over this, I’d owe him big tame–like, a lifetime of “owe you “But honestly


    f didn’t want to get tangled up with him any further. All could do was try to talk some sense into him


    “It’s not that bad,” he muttered, clearly lying through his teeth His face was so pale. A few more


    treatments, and I’ll be good as new


    Têxt ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Uh–huh, Sure. But since he looked like he was about to pass out, I held back my argument.


    Instead, he nced at me and said, “Now that you’re back, I feel like I’ll heal faster


    I understood the meaning behind his words, but he quickly switched gears like it was nothing


    “Steve’s been asking about you, by the way. If I hadn’t stopped him, he probably would’ve filed a


    missing person’s report


    Cutting everyone off for a few days had definitely caused a ripple effect.


    “Is heing by today?” I asked, rolling with the topic change.


    “Don’t know. Let me check.” He started to grab his phone, but the moment he moved, pain shot


    across his face, and he froze like a glitching robot.


    Without thinking, I grabbed his bandaged arm to steady him. “Rx, you don’t need to call him. I’m


    back He’ll find me sooner orter.”


    Jace didn’t say anything. Maybe it was the pain–or maybe it was something else. I couldn’t tell


    “Want me to call the doctor?” I asked.


    He shook his head and licked his dry lips. “Just… get me some water.”


    I handed him the ss, and he took a couple of slow sips. Some of the tension on his face mated


    an


    as the pain dulled.


    “Hase to see you recently?” I asked, breaking the silence.


    Wayne


    “Twice.”


    “I ran into him yesterday,” I said, watching his reaction. “At the restaurant,” I added.


    “Hmm.” That was all he said.


    I let out a smallugh.


    Wayne and I sure have a knack for running into each other.”


    Jace wasn’t buying it. “Rea, if you’ve got something to say, just spit it out.”


    I hesitated, then nced at his injured arm. “Did you know Wayne can draw?”


    His eyebrows knit together. “What? No. I’ve never seen him do that.”


    “He’s crazy good–like, better–than–most–people good. His paintings are so lifelike, they might as


    well be photos,” I said, hyping it up just a little.


    But seriously, Wayne was insanely talented.


    Jace didn’t say a word, so I kept going. “Now, imagine someone filling an entire room with drawings


    of


    you Every veraden of you from when they were ten twenty four What kind of ferdings do you think it


    taken to do something like that?”


    The realization hit him hard, and it showed “Rea, your not


    “I want to try opening my heart to someone else,” I said, cutting him off


    Jace froze. His hand trembled, and the ss tipped, spilling water all over the floor.


    “No,” he said sharply, his tone somewhere between shocked and furious. “I don’t agree with this.”


    Compared to his total meltdown, I stayed calm. “Wayne’s love for me runs deeper and longer than


    yours ever did….


    “Rea, is this because of Hayden? Are you heartbroken? Grieving? There are other ways to deal


    with it–you don’t have to just… throw yourself at Wayne like this,” he stammered.


    “We’ve known each other just as long as you and I have. This isn’t some random, impulsive


    decision,” 1 said softly


    His tone hardened. “No. Absolutely not. Rea, you can’t be with Wayne.”


    I didn’t bother answering. But Jace? He looked like he was unraveling by the second. He sat there


    clutching the ss like it was the only thing tethering him to reality, his knuckles white as he


    debated whether to put it down or hold on.


    “This isn’t about me, is it?” he blurted, his words tumbling out. “You me me for what happened to


    Hayden, don’t you? If you’re mad, just say it–yell at me, curse me, do whatever you need to. But


    don’t-” His voice cracked, lower this time. “Don’t punish yourself like this. Don’t…”


    Jace never rambled. Ever. And yet, here he was, unraveling in real time.


    He’d been the one to tip me off about the mastermind behind everything. He must’ve known it was


    Wayn all along.


    I kept my voice low but sharp. “You’ve always known the mastermind, haven’t you?”


    Jace’s gaze darkened, and i gave him a faint smile “Even if you don’t say it, I already know who it


    is.”


    “And who do you think it is?” he asked, calm but clearly trying to gauge my reaction.


    I met his eyes and didn’t answer.


    Jace shifted, sitting up straighter–like he was actually about to climb out of bed, injury be damned.


    “You don’t think it’s Wayne, do you? Are you seriously nning to be with him just to get back at me


    or… avenge Hayden?”


    Of course, after years of dating me, he could still read my mind like a book.


    “If it’s not him, then tell me who it is,” I shot back.


    “Rea, it’s not Wayne. How could you even think that? But honestly…” Jace said, shifting his stance.


    “I don’t know who it is, either. Back then, I just… guessed there had to be someone pulling the


    strings.”


    I stayed calm, my tone light but deliberate. “If it’s not him, even better. At least I won’t feel any quilt


    about being with him.”


    Jace froze. “Rea…”


    I exhaled slowly. “Jace, we’ve known each other for ten years. We were together for four. Then I fell


    in love with Hayden.


    “I’ve been through it all–the joy of unrequited love turning mutual and the rush of love at first sight.


    But honestly? Love is exhausting. I’m tired of being the one who loves more.


    “I want to try being with someone who loves me more this time.”


    Jace’s expression hardened. “Fine,” he said, his voice sharp. “If that’s what you want, go ahead–but


    it absolutely cannot be Wayne.”


    I chuckled softly. “And why not? Give me one good reason.”


    He stiffened, like someone had just electrocuted him. “You already know the reason, Rea. Do you


    really need me to say it?


    “He’s my brother. You’re my ex–fiancée. If you two get together, what does that make me? What will


    people think of my family?


    “How am I supposed to face you–or myself?”


    I let the silence hang for two beats, meeting his gaze head–on. “So, what? I’m supposed to sacrifice


    my happiness just to protect your pride and reputation?”


    That shut him up.


    I watched him for a moment, then softened my tone. “I’m telling you this now so you have time to


    process it. That’s all.”


    Jace’s voice cracked as he spoke. “Then can’t you pity me, just this once? Don’t be with him.


    Anyone else would be fine, but not Wayne.”


    “Someone else?” I let out a quietugh. “Alright then tell me. Who should i choose?


    Silence. Of course, he had nothing.


    I nced at his injured arm before standing. “Take care of yourself, Jace Focus on healing


    “Rea.” His voice stopped me in my tracks. I felt his hand grab my wrist just as I turned to leave What


    about me? Could you… reconsider me?”


    His eyes locked onto mine. “I admit I made a lot of mistakes. I’ve paid for them, but you know I still


    love you. I always have. I’d give my life for you, Rea.”


    He paused, his voice dipping lower, almost vulnerable. “You said you want someone who loves you


    ence Then let me be that person. You don’t even have to love me back. You can keep loving


    Hayden if that’s what you need.”


    The humility in his voice was startling. This wasn’t the Jace I knew–he’d stripped away everyst bit


    of pride.


    “Rea,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to the back of my hand, just give me one more chance


    fen begging you.”


    I looked out the window instead of at him. “But you’re not exciting to me anymore


    The words hit like a sledgehammer. Harsh? Maybe, Cruel? Definitely. But it was the truth.


    Wasn’t it excitement that made him cheated with Tanya behind my back? A craving for something


    new?


    thrill?


    I didn’t wait to see his reaction. I only felt his grip on my wrist slowly loosen until his hand fell away


    entirely.


    I didn’t say anything else. As I turned to leave, I nced back at Jace. He was slumped in the chair,


    lookingpletely wrecked, like all the fight had drained out of him.


    Leaving the hospital behind, I headed back to the office


    Maybe it was because I’d been gone so long–or maybe it was just me–but something felt. off. The


    ce seemed heavier, like someone had hit the dimmer switch on the usual buzz


    When I stepped into my office, everything was exactly as I’d left it: neat, spotless, like a productivity


    shrine. Someone had clearly been keeping it all together in my absence.


    “Ms. Kay, your vacation’s over?”


    I nced up to see one of the new hires poking her head in. Fresh out of college, she still had that


    wide- eyed look, like every thought was written all over her face


    “Yeah,” I said with a smirk. “Miss me already?”