Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right

If Jace actually lost his arm over this, I’d owe him big tame–like, a lifetime of “owe you “But honestly f didn’t want to get tangled up with him any further. All could do was try to talk some sense into him

“It’s not that bad,” he muttered, clearly lying through his teeth His face was so pale. A few more treatments, and I’ll be good as new

Uh–huh, Sure. But since he looked like he was about to pass out, I held back my argument.

Instead, he glanced at me and said, “Now that you’re back, I feel like I’ll heal faster Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

I understood the meaning behind his words, but he quickly switched gears like it was nothing “Steve’s been asking about you, by the way. If I hadn’t stopped him, he probably would’ve filed a missing person’s report

Cutting everyone off for a few days had definitely caused a ripple effect.

“Is he coming by today?” I asked, rolling with the topic change.

“Don’t know. Let me check.” He started to grab his phone, but the moment he moved, pain shot across his face, and he froze like a glitching robot.

Without thinking, I grabbed his bandaged arm to steady him. “Relax, you don’t need to call him. I’m back He’ll find me sooner or later.”

Jace didn’t say anything. Maybe it was the pain–or maybe it was something else. I couldn’t tell

“Want me to call the doctor?” I asked.

He shook his head and licked his dry lips. “Just… get me some water.”

I handed him the glass, and he took a couple of slow sips. Some of the tension on his face mated an

as the pain dulled.

“Has come to see you recently?” I asked, breaking the silence.

Wayne

“Twice.”

“I ran into him yesterday,” I said, watching his reaction. “At the restaurant,” I added.

“Hmm.” That was all he said.

I let out a small laugh.

Wayne and I sure have a knack for running into each other.”

Jace wasn’t buying it. “Rea, if you’ve got something to say, just spit it out.”

I hesitated, then glanced at his injured arm. “Did you know Wayne can draw?”

His eyebrows knit together. “What? No. I’ve never seen him do that.”

“He’s crazy good–like, better–than–most–people good. His paintings are so lifelike, they might as well be photos,” I said, hyping it up just a little.

But seriously, Wayne was insanely talented.

Jace didn’t say a word, so I kept going. “Now, imagine someone filling an entire room with drawings of

you Every veraden of you from when they were ten twenty four What kind of ferdings do you think it taken to do something like that?”

The realization hit him hard, and it showed “Rea, your not

“I want to try opening my heart to someone else,” I said, cutting him off

Jace froze. His hand trembled, and the glass tipped, spilling water all over the floor.

“No,” he said sharply, his tone somewhere between shocked and furious. “I don’t agree with this.”

Compared to his total meltdown, I stayed calm. “Wayne’s love for me runs deeper and longer than yours ever did….

“Rea, is this because of Hayden? Are you heartbroken? Grieving? There are other ways to deal with it–you don’t have to just… throw yourself at Wayne like this,” he stammered.

“We’ve known each other just as long as you and I have. This isn’t some random, impulsive decision,” 1 said softly

His tone hardened. “No. Absolutely not. Rea, you can’t be with Wayne.”

I didn’t bother answering. But Jace? He looked like he was unraveling by the second. He sat there clutching the glass like it was the only thing tethering him to reality, his knuckles white as he debated whether to put it down or hold on.

“This isn’t about me, is it?” he blurted, his words tumbling out. “You blame me for what happened to Hayden, don’t you? If you’re mad, just say it–yell at me, curse me, do whatever you need to. But don’t-” His voice cracked, lower this time. “Don’t punish yourself like this. Don’t…”

Jace never rambled. Ever. And yet, here he was, unraveling in real time.

He’d been the one to tip me off about the mastermind behind everything. He must’ve known it was Wayn all along.

I kept my voice low but sharp. “You’ve always known the mastermind, haven’t you?”

Jace’s gaze darkened, and i gave him a faint smile “Even if you don’t say it, I already know who it is.”

“And who do you think it is?” he asked, calm but clearly trying to gauge my reaction.

I met his eyes and didn’t answer.

Jace shifted, sitting up straighter–like he was actually about to climb out of bed, injury be damned. “You don’t think it’s Wayne, do you? Are you seriously planning to be with him just to get back at me or… avenge Hayden?”

Of course, after years of dating me, he could still read my mind like a book.

“If it’s not him, then tell me who it is,” I shot back.

“Rea, it’s not Wayne. How could you even think that? But honestly…” Jace said, shifting his stance. “I don’t know who it is, either. Back then, I just… guessed there had to be someone pulling the strings.”

I stayed calm, my tone light but deliberate. “If it’s not him, even better. At least I won’t feel any quilt about being with him.”

Jace froze. “Rea…”

I exhaled slowly. “Jace, we’ve known each other for ten years. We were together for four. Then I fell in love with Hayden.

“I’ve been through it all–the joy of unrequited love turning mutual and the rush of love at first sight. But honestly? Love is exhausting. I’m tired of being the one who loves more.

“I want to try being with someone who loves me more this time.”

Jace’s expression hardened. “Fine,” he said, his voice sharp. “If that’s what you want, go ahead–but it absolutely cannot be Wayne.”

I chuckled softly. “And why not? Give me one good reason.”

He stiffened, like someone had just electrocuted him. “You already know the reason, Rea. Do you really need me to say it?

“He’s my brother. You’re my ex–fiancée. If you two get together, what does that make me? What will people think of my family?

“How am I supposed to face you–or myself?”

I let the silence hang for two beats, meeting his gaze head–on. “So, what? I’m supposed to sacrifice my happiness just to protect your pride and reputation?”

That shut him up.

I watched him for a moment, then softened my tone. “I’m telling you this now so you have time to process it. That’s all.”

Jace’s voice cracked as he spoke. “Then can’t you pity me, just this once? Don’t be with him. Anyone else would be fine, but not Wayne.”

“Someone else?” I let out a quiet laugh. “Alright then tell me. Who should i choose?

Silence. Of course, he had nothing.

I glanced at his injured arm before standing. “Take care of yourself, Jace Focus on healing

“Rea.” His voice stopped me in my tracks. I felt his hand grab my wrist just as I turned to leave What about me? Could you… reconsider me?”

His eyes locked onto mine. “I admit I made a lot of mistakes. I’ve paid for them, but you know I still love you. I always have. I’d give my life for you, Rea.”

He paused, his voice dipping lower, almost vulnerable. “You said you want someone who loves you ence Then let me be that person. You don’t even have to love me back. You can keep loving Hayden if that’s what you need.”

The humility in his voice was startling. This wasn’t the Jace I knew–he’d stripped away every last bit of pride.

“Rea,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to the back of my hand, just give me one more chance fen begging you.”

I looked out the window instead of at him. “But you’re not exciting to me anymore

The words hit like a sledgehammer. Harsh? Maybe, Cruel? Definitely. But it was the truth.

Wasn’t it excitement that made him cheated with Tanya behind my back? A craving for something new?

thrill?

I didn’t wait to see his reaction. I only felt his grip on my wrist slowly loosen until his hand fell away entirely.

I didn’t say anything else. As I turned to leave, I glanced back at Jace. He was slumped in the chair, looking completely wrecked, like all the fight had drained out of him.

Leaving the hospital behind, I headed back to the office

Maybe it was because I’d been gone so long–or maybe it was just me–but something felt. off. The place seemed heavier, like someone had hit the dimmer switch on the usual buzz

When I stepped into my office, everything was exactly as I’d left it: neat, spotless, like a productivity shrine. Someone had clearly been keeping it all together in my absence.

“Ms. Kay, your vacation’s over?”

I glanced up to see one of the new hires poking her head in. Fresh out of college, she still had that wide- eyed look, like every thought was written all over her face

“Yeah,” I said with a smirk. “Miss me already?”