Chapter 258

"Excuse me, could you two let me through, please?" I asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Jace didn't budge, his gaze locked on me. Tanya glanced at me before silently stepping aside, gripping Jace's arm like she thought I'd snatch him away or something.

"Rea, come on, let's eat," Lindey called out the moment I stepped into the private room, her smile warm and inviting.

I slid into my seat, playing dumb. "Why's it just the two of us?"

"It was always supposed to be just us. Someone else decided to crash the party, completely clueless," she said, her disdain for Tanya—and probably Jace, too—couldn't have been more obvious.

I chuckled softly. "If you keep this up, it's gonna put a strain on things with Jace."

I wasn't trying to be all noble or anything; it's just that Matthew and Lindey had always been good to me. I genuinely wanted their family to get along.

"This is on him," Lindey said firmly, not backing down one bit.

I'd said my piece, so I let it go and decided to j