Lilian took a step toward Jace. “Jace, I…”
Before she could say another word, Brandon reached out and gently pulled her back. “Lilian, let’s go.”
She glanced at Jace, helpless, but followed her father out. Jace stood there alone for a minute, letting the noise of the casino fade into the background before he finally stepped outside, wandering aimlessly down the city street.
His phone chimed.
He glanced at the screen. There was a message from Lilly.
[Jace, I have a fever.]
He slid one hand into his pocket, kept walking, and didn’t reply.
Another alert. Another message from her.
[Jace, my head hurts so much. Can you please come over?]
[Jace, I know you didn’t mean what you said. There must be a reason for how you acted.]
[Jace, if you come now, I’ll forgive you. We can still be happy, just like before.]
More notifications kept lighting up his phone. He could practically see her face as she typed, maybe a little stubborn, maybe a little frustrated, but always so heartbreakingly lovely.
Jace gripped his phone, walking through the city lights. He knew he shouldn’t go to her. Every bit of logic told him to stay away.
How cruel was it, he thought, that just when he had nothing to offer, he found the one girl he wanted to protect for the rest of his life?
He let out a shaky breath and turned toward home. But then his phone chimed again.
He opened it.
[Jace, I miss you.]
She missed him.
Jace stopped in his tracks. For a moment, he just stood there. Then he spun around and took off in the opposite direction, running as if his whole heart depended on it.
Half an hour later, Jace stood outside the Lynch family’s villa. The warm glow of the lights inside spilled out into the night, inviting and gentle.
He watched the house for a long time, his hands curling into fists at his sides, then relaxing, then tightening again.
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