Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 557

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The burning ache in my throat spread straight to my heart. As silence hung on Hayden's end, I forced myself to say, "I won't bother you while you're picking out rings. Goodbye."

Then I hung up, pressing the button so hard it felt like I was crushing my own heart along with the call.

I stood there, frozen, until Jace walked over. The second he got close, I dropped my head and hurried toward the elevator. "Wait here. I'm just going to pack my things," I mumbled as I passed him. "I'll go up with you," he said.

"There's no need. I can handle it myself," I replied, voice sharper than I intended, quickening my pace.

But Jace followed anyway. "What's wrong?"

He could tell something was off.

The bitterness clawing at my chest nearly broke me then and there. I felt myself on the edge, seconds from falling apart, from letting everything spill out in front of him.

But 1 couldn't. Not in front of Jace.

When I'd chosen to be with Hayden, I'd been so sure, practically bragging to Jace that I was what I wanted, that Hayden was the right choice. And now, it all felt like it was coming back to hit me where it hurt most.

"Jace, it's not appropriate for you to come up

didn't even blink. "I don't mean anything by it. I'm just worried something might happen.

wasn't going inside, and I didn't want him going back downstairs either. Right now, I needed a moment to gather up the shattered pieces

thought I'd moved on from Hayden. But that single line on the phone? It ripped the illusion to shreds. I hadn't let

I was

too paranoid?"

Jace.

didn't argue. He just

felt suffocating, like being tangled

my chest. Just when I thought I was

out

if you need

in, slamming it shut behind

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Chapter 557

surface, fighting the tight, painful knot rising in my

with Jace just outside, I couldn't let myself completely break. I bit my lip, hard, tasting blood, but even that couldn't dull

I closed my eyes, trying to will them