Chapter 10

Tanya's face went even paler, her already fair skin now almost ghostly. She gripped her juice glass, her hands shaking. "I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean to."

She looked so fragile and pitiful that it seemed like I'd said something to hurt her feelings.

But I didn't stop. Since I'd started, I might as well finish. "Maybe you didn't mean to, but it has affected us. If it wasn't on purpose, just be more mindful in the future. No need to apologize."

"If Desmond were still here, I would never trouble Jace," Tanya said, tears streaming down her face again. She sure knew how to turn on the waterworks.

Her words were cleverly chosen, leaving me at a disadvantage.

Tanya looked at me, her eyes shimmering. "I turn to Jace because Desmond entrusted him with that responsibility before he passed, and Jace agreed."

Her hands kept rubbing the glass as she added, "If it weren't for that, I wouldn't bother Jace."

This was her way of excusing herself while subtly blaming me.

But we were all adults