Ch. 421..430
Chapter 421 +25 BONL I had Steve check it out instead of just waiting for Hayden's conclusion. I mean, it was his dad driving that day, and I couldn't shake the feeling he might lie to protect him. Now, though? Yeah, I was totally overthinking it.
"You're thinking the brakes failed that day, huh?" Hayden asked.
We w were officially together now, so no more dodging the truth. "Yeah. I need a real answer, though. Like, no guessing."
Hayden went quiet for a second, then asked, all soft, "Rea, if-and I'm just saying if-the brake thing had something to do with my dad, would you... would you leave me?"
The words hit like a punch in the gut, tightening my throat like someone was choking me. I knew why he asked, but honestly? I hadn't thought about it. It was too scary to even go there. "Hayden, I really don't know."
There was a part of me that believed-even if the accident was tied to his dad-that Hayden wasn't his dad. I couldn't blame him for something his dad might've done. But just because I could think that way didn't mean I actually could do it.
I shifted in his arms, trying to get comfortable. "If it's true... what would you do? Would you feel guilty and, like, push me away?"
More silence. I figured he didn't know either.
Then he finally whispered, "All I know is, I can't lose you."
His words about me leaving, and then him saying he couldn't stand the thought, sent a wave of emotion through me so strong I couldn't even breathe.
"It won't happen," I whispered, more to myself than him "The universe can't be that cruel to us."
Hayden didn't say anything, just started kissing me. Soft at first, then deeper, like he was trying to erase all the worries in my head.
That night, Hayden's touch felt different-deeper, more intense. It was like he couldn't get close enough.
I drifted off in his arms, but in my dreams, I was back at the scene of my parents' accident. The wrecked car, smoke everywhere, my parents' crushed bodies.... "Kiki..."
"Kiki."
They reached out for me, calling my name, but no matter how hard I ran, something kept holding me back, locking me in place.
I woke up with a start, Hayden shaking me gently. His face was full of concern.
"You were having a nightmare," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"I... I dreamt about my parents. They were trapped in the car," I murmured.
25 S BONUS Chapter 421 Hayden didn't say anything. He just held me tighter.
We stayed like that, the room so quiet I could hear our heartbeats. Then, suddenly, voices broke the silence-an argument from somewhere in the building.
"Yeah, I'm the one with bad intentions, but you took the bait, Jace!" a woman's voice screamed, full of anger and hurt. "If you were such a good guy, you never would've fallen for it!"
I knew it was Tanya. Jace had to be with her.
Honestly? I wasn't interested in the drama. I buried my face in Hayden's chest. "I'm starving."
He smiled softly. I'll make you something."
"No, I want street food. Let's hit up one of those late-night spots."
"Alright," he said, laughing under his breath. "But wear something warmer, okay? It's cold out."
He handed me my clothes, and soon enough, we were sneaking out of the apartment like it was some kind of late-night adventure.
We grabbed some tacos from a food truck, and by the time we got back, it was almost dawn. I figured Jace would've left by now.
But nope-right as we stepped into the elevator, there he was, walking out.
Chapter 422 Jace's face froze, his eyes locking onto mine like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Then, his gaze dropped to my hand, still laced with Hayden's No one said a word for a few awkward seconds. Finally, Hayden cleared his throat. "Mr. Johnston, morning."
Morning? The sun wasn't even up yet.
That seemed to snap Jace out of his trance. His jaw clenched, and he looked straight at me. "Rea, I need to talk to you."
I could've said no, but I didn't. Some conversations had to happen, even if they sucked.
"Hayden, go on upstairs. I'm in the mood for some milk," I said, super casual, like I was asking my husband to pick up groceries or something.
He gave a small nod, adjusting the coat around my shoulders. "It's cold this morning."
He stepped into the elevator, leaving me alone with Jace, who just stared at the floor numbers like he was trying to burn a hole through them. When the doors finally shut, Jace turned back to me. "When did you buy the apartment?"
I used to think he bought the one above mine on purpose, just to mess with me. But from the look on his face, I realized I might've been wrong.
"Probably before you did," I replied, watching his expression shift. Something dark flickered in his eyes.
I had a hunch. "Tanya didn't tell you to buy that apartment, did she?"
He didn't say anything, but the silence told me enough, Tanya... wow, she really was something else. She either bought it to flaunt her thing with Jace in my face or to make him see Hayden and me together, hoping it'd break him.
Too bad, girl. I figured out the game before it even started.
"Didn't you want to talk?" I asked. "You gonna do it here?"
Jace's eyes flickered again. "Let's go outside."
He started walking, slow enough that I could follow easily, like he was afraid I wouldn't.
"I haven't eaten in over a day," he said softly when we stepped out into the chilly air.
knew what he meant. He wanted me to eat with him.
"I already ate." I replied quickly.
The second I said it, I saw the pain flash across his face, followed by a quiet, "You won't even eat with me anymore?
Ugh. It wasn't about the meal, but I didn't want him thinking I still cared, or worse, felt sorry for him.
Let's sit by the flowerbeds, I suggested, heading for the small garden nearby. No way was I getting in his car.
+25 BONU Jace followed, and before I knew it, his jacket was draped over my shoulders. It was still warm from him.
I glanced at him, and he straightened the collar around me. "You're not gonna reject this too, are you?" He didn't wait for a response, just walked ahead.
I looked down at the jacket, and a weird lump formed in my throat.
Back when I first fell for him, wearing his jacket had felt like the best thing in the world, like I had everything I wanted.
Now? It felt like a weight I didn't ask for.
I caught up with him, and he stopped, looking up at the barely lit sky. "It's been a long time since I've watched the sunrise."
His words pulled me back to a night I hadn't thought about in forever. The last time we'd watched the stars together. He'd been out drinking with friends, and I waited all night to pick him up.
It was almost morning by the time he stumbled out, surprised to see me still there.
"You waited this whole time?" he'd asked, completely shocked.
"Yeah," I'd replied, frustration and sadness clear in my voice.
Sad because I'd spent the whole night worrying about him. Angry because I'd crept up to the door of his private room more than once, terrified he'd had way too much to drink.
Chapter 423
I was so mad at him. He'd gotten so drunk, he didn't even remember asking me to pick him.
1. up.
Back then, Jace had stared at me, all dazed, and after a beat, he leaned in and kissed me-soft and sweet. Then, like always, he ruffled my hair. "Silly girl," he'd said.
That morning sky? It was just like now, barely light. He was still buzzed, full of that restless energy he always had when he drank too much: "Wanna hit the hilltop for the sunrise?" he asked, eyes sparkling. Classic Jace. Whenever he drank too much, he hated going to bed, always saying the room spun the second he tried to lie down. So, I'd usually drive him around until he calmed down.
That night, I drove us to the hilltop. We sat on this big rock, leaning into each other, watching the stars disappear as the sky shifted from dark to gray. Then, the sun started peeking out, flooding everything with that soft, pink light.
He ended up falling asleep on my shoulder, staying there until the sun was high enough tho
woke him up. Only then did we leave.
I stared at the sky now. "You haven't done that in a while."
"Yeah? I guess I forgot," he mumbled, lowering his head.
Forgot
the heat
If only he hadn't forgotten everything-his promises, our memories-then maybe he wouldn't have fallen for Tanya's games.
"So, what do you wanna talk about?" I brought it back to why we were here.
"You found out about Tanya, Jace said, voice flat. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
That didn't shock me at all.
I paused, pressing my lips together. "What would it have changed? You'd just fight with her like fonight, and... then what?"
Desmond was dead. Nothing could fix that.
And Jace and I? We were way beyond fixing.
Jace stayed quiet for a while, then finally asked, "When you found out, did you think I was an idiot? A total fool?
"No." I sighed. "But she's worse than I ever thought."
He let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, I deserve that."
I couldn't stop myself from asking. "So what are you gonna do about her?".
Tanya's goal was obvious. The way she acted at the opening ceremony and how she fought with Jace tonight-it was all about climbing her way into wealth and power. Jace glanced around like he was looking for something, but then he just plopped down on the grass.
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"There's dew," I pointed out.
He gave a small smile. I'm not that picky."
He patted the spot next to him. "Wanna sit?"
"It's cold."
He nodded, not pushing it. "Yeah, it is."
"She said if I don't agree to her terms, she's gonna release a video of Desmond catching us... making out," he said, tugging at the grass under him.
Ah, so that's why Tanya had acted so bold yesterday-she had backup.
"And you? Are you giving in?" I asked.
He twirled a piece of grass between his fingers, brushing it against his nose. "My dad had another health scare yesterday. It's getting worse."
I got it. He didn't want to stir the pot and stress Matthew out even more.
Thinking about Tanya's demands yesterday, I asked, "So, are you asking me to give her the amusement park?"
"She doesn't deserve it," Jace said, his eyes locked on mine. "That park is yours."
I wasn't disappointed,
Even if I didn't care about the park anymore, the thought of Tanya getting her hands on it? Nope. No way. She definitely didn't deserve it.
But if she was bold enough to demand it, not giving it to her might stir up even more drama.
"Will she actually agree to that?" I asked, not convinced
Jace hesitated for a second. "She agreed, but... there are other conditions."
Chapter
Jace didn't continue, but I already knew. "She wants to be your wife, right?"
Jace's head shot up, surprise all over his face like I'd cracked some big secret. "You know her pretty well," he said after a beat, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
The jab wasn't subtle. He was implying I'd been keeping tabs on Tanya-because, yeah, she'd stolen Jace from me. Classic.
"You're overthinking it," I shot back, keeping my cool. "I don't care about her. But she's so obvious. Her obsession with money and fancy things? Kinda hard to miss."
Right as I finished, the sky started to change. I used to think night slowly turned into day, but it was like someone flicked a switch. The sky just... lit up, fast and sharp. No wonder they call it the breaking of dawn.
"Jace, an amusement park's worth a lot, sure. But compared to being the CEO's wife? It's pocket change." I watched his expression-he blinked, clearly not expecting me to go there.
Yeah, the Johnstons gave me a whole amusement park, but Jace's net worth? He could buy a hundred of those. Tanya knew that. That's why she didn't waste any time using Desmond's death to her advantage. "She never wanted me," Jace muttered, his voice bitter. "She only wanted what I'm worth."
I laughed softly under my breath. Is he just now getting this?
Did he really think Tanya was with him for love?
In rich-people-land, how many couples are actually in love? Most are just business deals wrapped in wedding dresses. Suddenly, Sasha popped into my head. That girl was all over Thorsten, a guy old enough to be her dad. Was that love? Maybe. Or maybe she was just in love with his bank account.
"But why don't you care?" Jace asked quietly. "If you cared about money, you wouldn't have... left because of her, right?"
He wasn't wrong. If I was after wealth, I could've ignored Tanya. We'd fight, sure, but I'd wait until we got married. Then, when we split? I'd walk away with half his empire.
Even Lena thought I was dumb for letting Jace off so easy. She'd told me if he cheated, I should've made -him pay for it.
"Maybe I am dumb," I said with a small, self-deprecating smile, echoing Lena's words.
"Keira, Jace said, using my name in a way
that caught me off guard. "Did you ever really love me?"
I let out a low laugh, thinking, 'After everything, now he asks if I loved him?'
I looked at him, my voice cold. "You're like someone who doesn't just want to hurt someone-they want to twist the knife afterward."
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Jace tilted his head back, staring at the now-bright sky. "I've been thinking... if you really loved me, how could you just leave? How could you be with someone else so fast? I can't even imagine it, but..."
He trailed off, his voice breaking. "The longer we're apart, the more I realize.... I can't live without you." Ah, the aftermath.
I saw the pain on his face, the sadness clinging to him like a shadow. And in that moment, something inside me finally clicked.
I realized I wasn't the only one who had loved. He had too, in his own messed-up way.
We just went down the wrong road. Much like this conversation, which started about Tanya but somehow circled back to us.
Since we were already here, I figured I'd clear things up for him.
"Ever hear the saying?" I asked, bending down to pick up a fallen leaf. I spun it between my fingers. "A leaf doesn't turn yellow in a day; people don't just wake up one day and stop caring." Chapter 425
Chapter 425
Jace looked at me, clearly still not getting it.
"Tanya was just the final straw," I said, giving him a tiny smile.
I remembered something I'd heard before: 'If you can laugh about it, you're over it.'
"Rea, I don't get it. Fine, blame me for what happened with Tanya, but before that? I was good to you," he insisted, like he just couldn't wrap his head around the fact that I'd checked out long before.
"I'm not saying you weren't good to me," I shrugged. "But did you ever stop to think about how I treated you? Or were you too busy looking in the mirror?" I asked, keeping my voice light.
He stared at me for what felt like forever, then dropped his head. "I didn't appreciate you. That's how I lost you."
"What's the point in rehashing this now?" I said, steering things back to Tanya. "Let's talk about her. You worried your parents won't be cool if you're serious about her?"
"Serious? With Tanya?" Jace snapped. "Do you think I'm a complete idiot?"
Okay, valid question, but I kept that to myself.
"She's trying to blackmail me with that video. Let her. I'm not letting anyone threaten me," he said, full of that classic Jace bravado.
He never allowed himself to be blackmailed-whether in life or in business. Tanya had clearly miscalculated with this move.
"Sure, but if she actually releases it? RiverwaveCorp will take a hit, and Matthew? He won't handle that well, I reminded him, tossing a look his way.
"That's why I need your help," he finally admitted.
Ah, there it was.
I studied him for a second. In the early morning light, he still looked sharp, his features all chiseled and handsome, but there was a heaviness in his expression that made him feel distant. "What do you need?" "Talk to my dad," Jace said, shaking his head. "Wayne and I? We're both brick walls with him. You're the only one who can actually get through. If it wasn't for, you know, your real background, I swear people would think you're his long-lost daughter."
I snorted, giving him a playful kick. "Stop talking nonsense."
Jace smiled, watching me a little too closely. "I haven't seen you laugh like that in a long time."
My smile faded. "Are you seriously ready to take on Tanya?"
"If I don't, she'll keep coming after me. All she really wants is money. I doubt she'd actually release the video," Jace said with a shrug.
He always knew how to read people.
1 sighed, thinking about how Tanya had used Desmond who loved her, just for her own gain. "She's given
+ 35 BONUS
Downstairs, a crowd had gathered Firefighters were setting up safety mats, but for a pregnant woman. even surviving a fall wouldn't guarantee the baby's safety
I spotted Jace, being led by a few firefighters into the belding My eyes flicked up to the roof of the twenty-something story building. There she was-Tanys, in a long white dress hair flying wildly in the wind. It was like something out of a movie
She was beautiful, always had been. But that soul of hers? Rotten.
"Is that her husband" someone in the crowd whispered "He's probably the reason she's up there.
"reat, he's either cheating, or her in-laws are awful," another chimed in.
"She's dumb: If a guy doesn't want you, pulling something like this won't change it."
The crowd was relentless, throwing around judgments like confetti. It hit me again-how cruel people can
be with their words
Hello 426
Hello 426
come, but leave Keira out of this, Jace cut in, his voice steady but tense.
Tanya laughed. "Are you scared I'll drag her down with me?"
Of course, he was scared. And honestly, so was
I'd already figured out she was going to try and use me or Matthew as leverage. Now, it was obvious.
"This has nothing to do with Keira, Jace said, trying to keep things calm.
"Nothing to do with her? Tanya's voice cracked. "Everything I wanted-she ruined it all!"
Her words were filled with desperation.
She glared at me like I was the villain in her story. "Keita, are you coming over here or not? If you don't, I'm
Chapter 42
jumping."
Yeah, I wasn't moving. No way I was letting her pull me into her mess. Even with the safety nets below, I wasn't about to gamble with my life for her.
And for what? To die because of her drama? Please. People would probably say I had it coming. "Why should I care if you jump?" I shot back, smirking. Everything went dead silent. Even the firefighters froze. One of them muttered, "Don't provoke her."
Tanya's face twisted-she hadn't seen that coming. She thought we were all scared, that we'd play her game. She didn't expect me to be this... icy. "Keira Kay, this is all your fault!" she screamed.
"You stole my fiancé, and now you're acting like the victim? Seriously, Tanya Twain, where do you get off? "I shot back, my voice steady as I took slow steps forward.
"If Jace really loved you, he wouldn't have been with me," Tanya spat, not even a hint of shame.
I glanced at Jace, whose face was pale, his jaw tight.
"Yeah, well, I never claimed he loved me. I lost him to you a long time ago. Is that why you dragged me up here? To rub it in?"
Jace shot me a look, clearly shocked. Tanya, caught off guard too, just stood there, speechless.
For a second, the whole rooftop was still. Then, suddenly, she let out a piercing scream.
vChapter 427
The crowd's gasps echoed around me as I watched Tanya inch closer to the edge of the rooftop.
I didn't scream, but my heart jumped to my throat. Seeing her teeter like that made my skin crawl. It was like my whole body was on high alert, even though I wasn't the one standing up. there. This wasn't about her, though. It was about the sheer horror of watching someone flirt with danger like
that.
I knew what it meant. Jace had made it to the roof.
I couldn't hear a word from down here, just watching helplessly, until someone nudged me. "Miss, your phone's ringing
Snapping out of it, I grabbed my phone. Jace. Why would he be calling me now? Unless...
It had to be Tanya making him do it.
I answered. Jace's voice was tight. "Rea, can you bring my dad up here?"
I could ve o gone, but why did he need Matthew, too? His health was shaky, and whatever Tanya had planned, it wouldn't be good for him. I couldn't let her drag him into this mess.
Glancing up at Tanya, wobbling on the edge, my stomach clenched. I hung up and made my way through the crowd, heading for the elevator. But I didn't tell Matthew. I was going up alone.
As the elevator climbed, my mind raced, trying to figure out Tanya's angle. Was she planning to use us against Jace?
The moment I stepped onto the rooftop, the wind slapped me in the face, icy and sharp.
Jace was already there, eyes locked on me, but I focused on Tanya. She was glaring at me, too.
One of the firefighters asked her, "Is this who you wanted?"
"There's one more, Tanya snapped.
"It's just me. Matthew's not feeling well," I said, shutting down whatever she had in mind.
Tanya's expression twisted in annoyance, and she jabbed a finger in my direction. "You, come here!"
"I'll come, but leave Keira out of this, Jace cut in, his voice steady but tense.
Tanya laughed. "Are you scared I'll drag her down with me?"
Of course, he was scared. And honestly, so was
I'd already figured out she was going to try and use me or Matthew as leverage. Now, it was obvious.
"This has nothing to do with Keira, Jace said, trying to keep things calm.
"Nothing to do with her? Tanya's voice cracked. "Everything I wanted-she ruined it all!"
Her words were filled with desperation.
She glared at me like I was the villain in her story. "Keita, are you coming over here or not? If you don't, I'm
Chapter 42
jumping."
Yeah, I wasn't moving. No way I was letting her pull me into her mess. Even with the safety nets below, I wasn't about to gamble with my life for her.
And for what? To die because of her drama? Please. People would probably say I had it coming. "Why should I care if you jump?" I shot back, smirking. Everything went dead silent. Even the firefighters froze. One of them muttered, "Don't provoke her."
Tanya's face twisted-she hadn't seen that coming. She thought we were all scared, that we'd play her game. She didn't expect me to be this... icy. "Keira Kay, this is all your fault!" she screamed.
"You stole my fiancé, and now you're acting like the victim? Seriously, Tanya Twain, where do you get off? "I shot back, my voice steady as I took slow steps forward. "If Jace really loved you, he wouldn't have been with me," Tanya spat, not even a hint of shame.
I glanced at Jace, whose face was pale, his jaw tight.
"Yeah, well, I never claimed he loved me. I lost him to you a long time ago. Is that why you dragged me up here? To rub it in?"
Jace shot me a look, clearly shocked. Tanya, caught off guard too, just stood there, speechless.
For a second, the whole rooftop was still. Then, suddenly, she let out a piercing scream.
Chapter 428
Tanya's scream ripped through the air, loud enough to make my ears ring. "Don't provoke her," a firefighter warned again, but Jace waved him off.
Jace knew, just like I did, that Tanya didn't actually want to die. This was all a show, a desperate act to make everyone believe she was at her breaking point.
Sure enough, after her outburst, she shot a wild look at Jace and me. "You think I'm bluffing, don't you? You think I'd never actually jump, that this is just about money. Well, today, I'll show you-either I'm serious, or this is all just a game." She took another step back, inching closer to the edge.
My heart raced. Even if she didn't want to die, one wrong move, and she would. The whole thing was way
too real.
I glanced at her swollen belly. I didn't know exactly how far along she was, but it had been over six months since Jace and I broke up. That baby had to be at least six or seven months in.
Tanya might be playing some twisted game, but that baby? Totally innocent. My chest tightened with pity. But pleading with her wouldn't help. If anything, it'd just give her more power.
I decided to hit where it hurt-her greed. "Go ahead and jump. Everyone here will see it's your choice. It'll be ruled as suicide, and you'll get nothing. All your plans? Gone. Everything you've schemed for? Over. You'll lose it all, including the love of the man who died for you."
Tanya's eyes widened, and her face twisted with grief. I already have nothing," she sobbed. "Desmond's parents don't acknowledge me. My own family's disowned me."
There it was. Her world had crumbled. No family, no support from Desmond's parents. She was desperate, clinging to anything.
Even her own brother had betrayed her.
"If you don't want me to jump, give me Jace," she demanded, her voice trembling. "Let him marry me."
I almost laughed. Like Jace was some prize I could just hand over.
The sad thing was, she actually believed Jace rejecting her was my fault. That if I wasn't in the picture, he'd choose her.
"You're wrong." I said, keeping my voice steady. "I'm not scared of you jumping. If you do, this whole mess ends, and we all move on."
A firefighter near me shot me a shocked look, clearly not expecting me to be so blunt. But I wasn't here to baby Tanya.
Tanya, on the other hand, looked furious, her body shaking. "You're evil! You want me to die so you can take Jace back!"
Her logic was so twisted, it was almost funny. Did she really think I still wanted i
She must've thought people wa
Chanter
I want
power or money. Didn't she get that once she'd tainted Jace with all her lies and drama, I wouldn't him back even if she wrapped him up and handed him over? Still, I needed to keep her talking. If she stayed focused on me, maybe the firefighters could inch closer and grab her before it was too late.
I shrugged, playing along. "You're right. If you jump, I can have Jace back. I'll be the wife of the RiverwaveCorp's CEO, living in luxury."
"Don't you dare!" she screamed, her face red with anger. She clearly wasn't willing to let me have Jace, not even in death.
I couldn't help but wonder where this intense hatred for me came from. We hadn't even crossed paths until she stole my fiancé. Why did she hate me so much?
"If you don't want to give him up, stop with this whole life-or-death act," I said, keeping my voice calm. "If you're so strong, fight for him like a real woman. Don't go around threatening to end it all."
"Fight?" She let out a bitter laugh. "How can I fight you? You've got ten years of history with him. His parents already see you as their daughter-in-law. What do I have to compete with?"
At least she knew she couldn't win. If only she'd realized that sooner, maybe she wouldn't be standing on this rooftop, broken and desperate.
"I've lost everything." Tanya whispered, her voice cracking. "I just wanted a better life. What's so wrong
with that?"
Her energy was fading, and her words were barely above a whisper now. She wasn't entirely wrong. Wanting a better life wasn't a crime. But what about everyone she'd hurt? Did their pain mean nothing? Her façade was crumbling. I could see the firefighters inching closer from both sides.
I held my breath, silently praying they'd reach her in
Chapter 429
Tanya suddenly shook her head. "I don't care! I need an answer, Jace-are you gonna marry me or not?"
Jace's jaw tightened. He could've easily said yes just to chill her out.
But nope. Instead, he hit her with the truth. Tanya, I told you, I'll compensate you, but marriage? That's not happening."
Even the firefighters gave him a 'Dude, seriously?' look.
Tanya's eyes filled with desperation, and she practically screeched, "The only thing I want is
"You set me up, and you're responsible for Desmond's death. The fact that I'm not holding you accountable is because you're carrying his kid," Jace said, his voice as cold as ice.
Yeah, Jace was never one to back down from blackmall, not even as a kid. His mom always said he was stubborn as a rock.
"The child? It's always about the child!" Tanya pressed a hand to her belly. "So that's it? I'm just some baby factory to you?
"You care about this baby, don't you? "If you don't agree, I'll end this right now!" and started hitting her stomach.
My heart practically stopped. Who does that?! Even wild animals protect their babies, but this woman? She was straight-up scary. No wonder she kept using the baby to play her twisted games.
"If anything happens to that kid, I'll personally make sure you regret it," Jace growled.
Now I got it-Jace was drowning in guilt over Desmond's death, and he was stuck trying to protect what was left of his legacy.
This mess? Yeah, it was his to deal with, no way around it.
But Jace's words only pushed Tanya further. She hit her stomach harder, and just as she totally lost it, one of the firefighters crept up and grabbed her.
She fought back, though, flailing and panicking. They were already way too close to the edge, and her wild movements made the firefighter lose his footing. They both started to fall backward.
"Ahhh" Tanya screamed, her hands grasping at nothing.
I gasped, covering my mouth, eyes wide as I watched the nightmare unfold.
Then I saw it-a hand clinging to the edge of the rooftop. Tanya's voice was pure panic. "Help me! Please! Someone help!
Her earlier dramatics about wanting to die? Yeah, total act. She was freaking out now.
No one was laughing. It had gone way beyond that.
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People rushed over to help the firefighter hanging on for dear life. He was strapped to a safety rope, but it was obvious-if he let go, only he'd be safe. Tanya? She'd be a goner.
He was hanging on with one hand, the other arm gripping Tanya's pregnant body. But he was losing his strength.
Several firefighters sprawled on the ground, reaching to help pull them up, but it wasn't easy. The guy was basically holding two people's weight.
Jace jumped in, grabbing the rope, pulling with everything he had. I just stood there, useless, too scared to do anything but watch.
More hands grabbed the rope, and slowly, I saw the firefighter's grip steady. Tanya and the firefighter. started inching upward, bit by bit.
Tanya, who'd been screaming her head off, was now eerily silent, her face pale as she clung to the firefighter.
Finally, they were pulled back onto the rooftop. Tanya collapsed, trembling, looking like she'd seen a ghost.
Then I noticed it-a dark red stain spreading across her white dress.
Blood.
"She's bleeding!" I shouted, pointing at her. "The baby... she's losing the baby!"
Jace saw it too. He rushed over, his face all panicked, grabbing her shoulders and lifting her a little. "Is your stomach hurting? Tanya, talk to me!"
But she was out of it, her eyes totally unfocused.
"We need to get her to the OR, now," I said, fumbling with my phone as I dialed Lena.
Chapter 430
The baby was bom prematurely-seven and a half months.
He lay in the incubator, nearly translucent. Just looking at him made my heart ache.
Lena couldn't say if the baby would make it. It was all up to fate now.
Tanya didn't actually succeed in jumping, but her baby sure paid the price. And she didn't get out unscathed either. Her uterus ruptured, she bled out like crazy, and they had to do an emergency hysterectomy just to keep her alive. Barely. She was lucky to be alive.
Honestly, I didn't care about her anymore. But the baby.. that poor kid. Desmond's parents didn't even acknowledge him, and now he was fatherless. With Tanya as his mom? Yeah, the future wasn't looking too bright. If she cared even a little, she wouldn't have kept putting him at risk with her wild decision When Hayden showed up at the hospital to get me, he looked... furious. Lena bumped me with her shoulder. "Uh-oh, your man's pissed.
Yeah, I saw it.
"You're still tangled up in this Jace mess," Lena muttered. "Of course he's upset."
I opened my mouth to explain, but Hayden was already at my side, staring at me in total silence.
It felt like the air between us had thickened, dropping the temperature a good ten degrees. Hayden, who was always calm and chill, now looked at me like he didn't even know what to say. I'd never seen him like this before.
And okay, I knew it-I was fine, but today could've gone bad. Really bad. I could've been the one in that hospital bed.
I stepped closer. "I'm okay. Nothing happened."
Still, nothing from him. I reached for his hand, "I swear, I'm done with their drama. For good this time." Lens cleared her throat, stepping in with her usual sass "Hey, Hayden? Your girl's had a day. Maybe ditch the silent treatment and give her a hug, yeah?" Hayden didn't pull me in like she suggested. Instead, he turned to Lena. "You sure she's okay?"
"Positive. I'd stake my whole career on it," Lena winked at me. She always had my back-my best friend through and through.
Hayden just stared at her, then finally turned back to me. "This is the last time."
"Yes, sir!" I teased, grinning as I wrapped my arms around him.
He rested his hand gently on my head, and all the tension finally melted away. relief, fear, and this raw vulnerability that made my eyes sting Suddenly, I felt everything
I pressed my face into his chest, letting his warmth surround me. Way too conf
"I'll leave you guys to it," Lena said, stepping
aw
But then she stopped, her expression turning serious. Actually, there's something you both should know."
Still wrapped up in Hayden, I glanced at her. "What's up?
She shoved her hands into her pockets. "Nate's leaving.
I blinked, totally thrown "Wait, what?"
Lena shrugged, trying to play it off like it was no big deal. "Yep. He's moving away."
"But what about you guys?" I asked, not getting how she could be so chill. They just started dating!
"I be fine." Lena said, managing a small smile. "You know me."
"Lena, you're in a relationship now."
"Yeah, and work is work. They're separate," she said, her tone all matter-of-fact, but I could tell this was harder than she let on. Long-distance wasn't easy for anyone. "When's he leaving? Hayden asked, cutting into the conversation.
"Day after tomorrow, early. So if you've got any concerns about Yuna's recovery, better talk to him soon," Lena reminded us
Hayden and I exchanged a look, both of us feeling the weight of that news. Then he turned back to Lena. Tomorrow night, we want to take you and Professor Neumann out to dinner." I quickly added, "As friends, of cour