Chapter 49

Jace raised his hand, tugging at his tie. “Rea, what the heck are you even trying to do? Why’d you bail on our marriage registration and then just disappear?” The conversation had shifted from business to personal matters, which was his main concern.

“I’m not causing trouble,” I said firmly.

“This isn’t causing trouble? Do you have any idea how crazy things have been at home? My mom was so upset she ended up in the hospital,” Jace snapped.

Hearing that Lindsey was hospitalized made me feel guilty, but that didn’t change anything. My guilt toward Matthew and Lindsey couldn’t erase the pain Jace had inflicted upon me.

“I’ll explain and apologize to your mother.”

“That’s not the point. Why didn’t you want to register our marriage?” Jace tugged at his collar.

I thought, He’s the one who cheated, yet he acts like I’m the one at fault. Fine, if that’s how he wants to play it, I’ll make it clear who’s really been wronged.

I lowered my gaze, staring at his wristwatch. “I went to Splendor Heights.”

The moment I said it, his chair screeched loudly against the floor. Jace stiffened, his expression shifting rapidly. “Rea, listen to me—”

“There’s nothing to explain. No matter how you slice it, Tanya living there is a fact, and…” I paused for effect, “when I bought bedding with her, she picked everything you liked.”

“It’s not what you think,” Jace stood up and started toward me.

I took a step back, maintaining the distance between us. “Jace, I don’t like overthinking or guessing, but I have eyes. I see things, and I have a heart. I feel things.”

“Rea…” Jace shook his head slightly. “That house was meant for you. It was decorated to your taste because I wanted to give it to you.”

“But you ended up giving it to someone else,” I whispered.

“I didn’t give it to her. I just let her stay there for a bit. You know her in-laws are treating her terribly after Desmond died. She had nowhere else to go, so I let her stay,” Jace explained quickly.

I smiled. “So, you were going to give it to me after she left, huh?”

Jace’s mouth moved, but no words came out. But I knew the answer. A sharp pain cut through my heart, my nails digging into my palm. “So, Jace, I’m only good enough for a place that’s already been used by someone else?”

“No, Rea, I’ll get you a new one,” Jace said, trying to soften his tone.

I laughed. “Oh, that way, you can keep one girl and hide another one.”

“Rea!” Jace snapped.

I stayed calm, staring at him. Finally, he nodded. “Do you have to be this petty? You used to be so kind and generous. Why can’t you tolerate Tanya? She’s really struggling, pregnant, and Desmond’s gone.”

“Yeah, she’s having a rough time. I know that, which is why I’m stepping aside for her. Go ahead, take care of her, marry her, and be a dad to her kid.” I smiled.

The next second, Jace grabbed my arm. “What are you talking about? What do you take me for?”

“You’re the one who wanted me to be generous!”

“So, your idea of being generous is dumping me?” Jace asked, his voice icy.

I stared at his face, the one I’d loved for ten years. “What else? Should I share you with Tanya?”

“Why do you always have to say such harsh things?”

Jace tightened his grip on my arm. It hurt, but the pain made my mind even clearer. “Jace, if I were taking care of another guy, would you be cool with it?” As I said it, Hayden’s face flashed before my eyes.