Although Tanya's presence had been annoying, it didn't ruin my appetite. I enjoyed a large plate of creamy pasta before heading back to the office.As soon as I got there, I received a call from Lindey. I hadn't been home for two days, so it was normal for her to call. "Hey, Lindey.""Rea, don't stay at your friend's place too long. Come home tonight. I made gnocchi with cumin and ground beef," Lindey said, making me smile.It seemed Jace had already come up with an excuse for my absence.I had decided to move back to the apartment in Emberholm, so I had to go to the Johnston place to pack my stuff. I told Lindey, "I'll be back tonight," and left it at that.As the workday was ending, Demi came up to me. "Keira, you doing okay?""Why wouldn't I be?" I asked, puzzled."Office gossip. Ignore it. I've seen how much Mr. Johnston cares about you," Demi said, hiding her phone behind her back."Hand it over," I said, my tone serious.Reluctantly, Demi gave me her phone and opened the
My heart was touched. Even though I was a foster child in this family, Jace's parents treated me with the same care and love as their own daughter. They made me feel like one of them.I remembered Jace's brother, Wayne, joking that ever since I joined the family, both he and Jace had been knocked down the pecking order.Lena was right. I could break up with Jace, but breaking away from his family would be much harder.I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.Everyone's eyes turned to me, and Lindey quickly got up and came over. "Rea, you're back. We were just waiting for you to have dinner.""Hey Lindey, Matthew," I greeted them. Jace, who had been kicked by Matthew, stood up and came over.He took my bag. "Why are you back so late?""I played some pool," I said. I knew Steve would tell him about our meeting, so there was no point in hiding it.Jace frowned a bit. "Next time you want to go, call me to join."He didn't like me hanging out for fun, especially without him.
Gavin Lawson was his secretary.I stayed quiet, and Jace looked down. "Rea, what do you want me to do? Just tell me, okay?"He sounded powerless, helpless, even somewhat despondent. Seeing him like this was rare."Jace, we've broken up. You don't need to worry about this. Take care of her however you want," I said.He shook his head and stepped closer, trapping me between the sink and his chest. "Don't even think about it. We're getting our marriage certificate tomorrow.""Jace, do you really want to marry me?" I remembered the conversation he had with Steve and spoke directly. "We know each other too well. So well that you have no interest in even sleeping with me, right?""I told you it was just a joke. That night, I was—""Jace," I interrupted him, not wanting to revisit that night, "that night is a shadow that will haunt me for the rest of my life. Do you get that?"His eyes narrowed, and he asked helplessly, "What do you want me to do so you'll forgive me and not break up?
Seeing the hopeful eyes of Matthew and Lindey, I finally nodded.But deep down, I promised myself: if Jace had any more dealings with Tanya, even after we got married, I'd leave him without a second thought.Everyone at the table sighed in relief when I agreed, and the atmosphere turned warm and relaxed.After dinner, I couldn't just leave.Back in the bedroom, the awkwardness between Jace and me was even worse."You go take a shower," Jace broke the silence first.Just then, my phone rang. It was Lena. I glanced at Jace. "You go ahead. I'll take this call."Jace went into the bathroom, and I answered the phone. Lena's voice had a hint of accusation. "Rea, you didn't sleep at my place last night, and you're not here tonight either. Did you go back to Jace's?"Looking at the big bed in the middle of the room, I replied softly, "Yeah.""You and Jace are back together?" Lena sounded surprised.I bit my lip. "We're getting our marriage certificate tomorrow."Lena was silent for
Looking at myself in the mirror, I forced a smile. 'Smile today. Be happy. Live happily ever after from now on,' I told myself.When I went downstairs, Matthew and Lindey had already made breakfast. They'd even swapped the regular tableware and couch covers for the special family occasion sets."Rea, once you get your marriage certificate, come back so we can celebrate and discuss the wedding party details," Lindey said, sounding more excited than I was."Sure!" I replied.Lindey looked at me. "You look beautiful today. It would look even better if it was embellished with pearls or Swarovski crystals.""That would be too conspicuous," I said."Don't listen to her. It's not a wedding ceremony; there's no need to dress extravagantly just to get a marriage license. Rea, wear whatever you like," Matthew cut in, correcting Lindey.I smiled, feeling warm inside.Lindey dragged me to the table. Along with the usual lavish breakfast, there were two extra eggs and a sausage arranged in
Gavin looked just as surprised as I was. "Ms. Twain, what are you doing here?"Tanya adjusted her nightgown. "I live here."She noticed the keys in my hand. "Do you always just walk into other people's homes without knocking?"Gavin stepped forward. "No... this place was supposed to be a gift from Mr. Johnston to Ms. Kay."He fumbled with his phone, accidentally putting the call on speaker. "Mr. Johnston, about the Splendor Heights penthouse--"Before he could finish, Jace interrupted, "That's for Tanya."Tanya's smile widened right in front of me."And Ms. Kay--"Gavin tried to continue, but Jace cut him off again, "I'll get another house for Keira. And... don't let Keira know about this."Gavin looked at me, red-faced and embarrassed, like he was the one who had betrayed me, not Jace.He didn't dare say more, realizing that bringing me here without checking with Jace first was a huge mistake. He should have cleared it with Jace, but now it was too late.I didn't expose Jac
Tanya's face turned red, then white again.Honestly, her act was pathetic. If she wanted to steal someone's fiancé, she should just own it. Jace gave her the house meant for me, after all. She could at least show some confidence.But no. She did shady things and still tried to act all innocent.'Really, this bitch wants to have her cake and eat it too,' I cursed inwardly."Keira, Jace won't like this behavior," Tanya dared to talk to me about this.I laughed out loud. If I still cared about Jace's affection now, I'd be out of my mind."Keep his affection for yourself," I shot back, shutting her down again.Tears welled up in Tanya's eyes, and I was glad I had Gavin around. Without him, her tears would've made things way too complicated."What do you mean? Aren't you getting married today?" Tanya asked, hope flickering in her eyes.'Look at her, so ambitious.'Suddenly, I didn't want to give her the satisfaction, so I said, "Yeah, we are. We'll get our certificate soon. Jace c
When Jace called me again, I was at the Cloudscape Monastery listening to a sermon."Rea, it's almost eleven. Why aren't you here yet?" Jace sounded urgent."I'm almost there, just wait a little longer." I was doing this on purpose.I'd loved him for a decade, and lost track of how many times I'd waited on him.Today, though, I made him wait on me. It was a small payback for a decade of love and youth."Hurry up, don't miss the time my mentor recommended," Jace urged me once more.At that moment, I was sitting in front of Abbot Levinsky, who hadn't mentioned anything about my marriage. It was clear he didn't know I was supposed to register with Jace today, let alone any auspicious timing.I softly hummed in acknowledgment, hung up, and switched off my phone, focusing back on Abbot Levinsky's sermon.Jace was a believer ever since he miraculously recovered from a serious illness as a child. Lindey had prayed nonstop at the monastery for three days and nights, and somehow, Jace h