All Chapters of Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

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

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

"Rea, I've got a huge bash planned for you guys and invited everyone. Make sure you're back by six tonight," Lindey's upbeat voice on the phone caught me off guard.I hadn't figured she wouldn't know we didn't get the marriage license. Jace must've kept her in the dark, probably afraid of her reaction after last night's disappointment.As I listened to Lindey's excitement and anticipation, a wave of apprehension washed over me about breaking the news.The fact that Jace and I couldn't get married was already set in stone. I couldn't hide it forever, and certainly not now. Besides, if she found out later with all the guests she had invited, it would only make things worse."Lindey," I called softly."You're about to become my daughter-in-law. You should start calling me 'Mom,' don't be shy," Lindey teased.For a moment, I felt a sharp pang in my heart. "I'm sorry, but I... I may never have the right to call you 'Mom.'"There had been so many moments over the past ten years when I

It took me four hours on the high-speed train to reach Chiverton.As I arrived, the town was just lighting up. It wasn't as bustling as Seavora, but it had its own charm with twinkling lights and a cozy, small-town vibe.Lena called almost as soon as I arrived. "Are you there yet? Found a place to stay?"She hadn't expected me to leave so suddenly. When she asked where I was headed, I gave her the address and train time. She wondered if I was leaving so fast to avoid Jace, thinking he might try to stop me.But she was wrong. Jace wouldn't bother. He's probably furious, mad that I stood him up and disobeyed him.So far, I seemed to be right. After he asked why I didn't show up for the marriage registration, he hadn't sent a single message or made another call.I hurried here because I'd always wanted to visit. Another reason was to avoid getting tangled up—not with Jace, but with Matthew and Lindey. They'd definitely try to reach me and change my mind.But I'd already made up my

"Hey Cutie Pie."The voice on the other end was husky and familiar, yet distant.A familiar face popped into my mind, and I blurted out, "Wayne!"I had hoped that changing my number would keep me off the Johnston family's radar, but I never expected Wayne to find this number and actually call me."Looks like you kept my number and didn't forget about me," Wayne's voice had that teasing edge.He was only two years older than Jace. Before he left for abroad, he used to look out for me a lot and loved calling me Cutie Pie.For a moment, I had no idea how to respond. His words sounded almost like he was complaining.In the first couple of years after he left, I'd sometimes reach out, just to see how he was doing. But eventually, we lost touch.Wayne was never the type to keep in contact. He barely talked to his family, so it was no surprise he didn't stay in touch with me.Now, out of the blue, he was calling me. I knew it had to be about my canceled wedding with Jace.Even if Wa