Chapter 455

Jace let out a short laugh. "So, you really do resent me, huh?"

"I wouldn't go that far," I said, though we both knew there was some truth in it. "But yeah, there's definitely a bit of an imbalance. You wasted ten years of my life—my time, my emotions." Since we were already on the subject, I wasn't holding back.

"And what about my ten years?" he said quietly, his voice low. "Rea, I loved you all those years, too. I gave you my heart."

I met his eyes for a second, then looked away. "I'm not denying that. But the second you slept with Tanya, everything you gave? Gone. You wiped it all out yourself."

Jace's jaw clenched in frustration. "Even criminals get parole, chances to redeem themselves. Why can't I get one?"

"Because with me, there are no second chances," I said just as the food arrived.

He clearly wanted to keep talking, but I wasn't having it. "If you want me to actually eat this, drop the past."

His eyes darkened, but he stayed quiet.

We ate in near silence, neither of u