Chapter 221
+25 BONUS
Chapter 221
I had to keep my cool as Tanya walked up to me, getting closer with every step.
“Keira,” she said again when she finally stopped in front of me, tears already pooling in her eyes.
I squinted a little but didn’t say anything, waiting for her to get to the point. No way I was interrupting her whole emotional meltdown.
“Can you just stay away from Jace?” she finally asked.
I raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“You guys are done. He’s with me now, so you need to back off. I don’t want you messing with his head.” Her voice wobbled as she tried not to cry.
Wow, seriously?
I laughed. So, she thought it was my fault Jace came down on her at work?
“So, what? You can’t afford the damages and want me to help cover it?” I taunted.
Janya’s face went pale. She’d opened up about her money problems before, thinking I was making fun of
her for being broke. But I wasn’t laughing at her situation–I was laughing at her nerves.
“I couldn’t afford it before, but things are different now, she shot back, clearly not one to back down.
The
only
y reason she was acting tough now was because she had Jace’s support. She thought she could use that against me, but I wasn’t about to roll over.
“Oh, right! Silly me, I almost forgot–you’re not just Desmond’s widow anymore. Even his family didn’t want to acknowledge you,” I said with a fake ‘aha‘ moment.
She froze at the mention of Desmond’s name, and tears started to spill over. “Keira, you don’t have to bring Desmond into this. I’m asking you to stay away from Jace–not just for me, but for your own good
too.”
I gave her a small, sarcastic smile. “Oh, really? I’d love to hear how staying away from him is supposed to help me.”
Tanya wiped at the corners of her eyes. “Jace resents you right now. He thinks you moved on too fast and doubts you ever really loved him, even after ten years.
I raised an eyebrow. “Did Jace actually say that?”
“No,” she admitted, pressing her lips together, “he’s too proud to say it, but I can tell,”
“Oh, so he’s one of those guys who can’t handle it when things don’t go his way. I don’t want him, but he’s the one losing sleep over it?” I shot back without holding back.
“Keira, how can you talk about him like that?” Tanya bristled, ready to defend him.
“If not like this, then how? Should I pretend he’s a saint who suddenly regrets his choices now that he’s stuck with you?” My words hit her hard, and she bit down on her lip.
She went quiet.
☐ +25 BONUS
Chapter 221
“Tanya, don’t even try playing mind games with me,” I warned. “I’m not falling for it. You don’t have to test me–I’m over Jace. You took him off my hands, so you actually did me a favor. I should be thanking you.”
Her lips trembled, but she couldn’t find the words.
I glanced at her slightly swollen belly, deciding to leave it at that, and turned to walk away.
But then she called out, “Since you don’t want him anymore, could you at least talk to his parents? Ask them not to blame him.”
I didn’t even look back. “Why should I speak up for him?”
She stayed silent, and I left the amusement park without another word, heading straight to Luxe Emporium.
As soon as I stepped into the lobby, I spotted a familiar face. He noticed me too and waved like we were best friends. “Keira, what a coincidence!”
“Mr. Shane,” I greeted him casually.
Ron walked over. “Had enough of your little vacation, huh? You better be back at work tomorrow, or I might have to find someone else.”
“Wow, such a threat,” I said with a smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll be there.” Just then, I noticed Steve heading
toward us.
He spotted me too. “Keira.”
I gave him a small wave and turned back to Ron. “Mr. Shane, I’m here with my friend. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“A friend? Or a boyfriend? Come on, introduce him!” Ron teased, clearly crossing some lines. We’d only been colleagues for a few days, and he was already acting way too familiar.
I was about to say no, but Steve stepped in smoothly. “Yeah, I’m her boyfriend, so you can stop trying your luck, sir.”
