Chapter 149
Chapter 149
Having lived with the Johnstons for years, I knew Matthew inside out.
He was the kind of guy who kept business and personal stuff totally separate. If Jace messed up, Matthew wouldn’t hesitate to come down on him–just like he would with anyone else.
But thinking about the reports I’d just gotten–Jace was still out there, aggressively poaching clients, hell- bent on taking down my company–I couldn’t help but say, “Looks like your dad’s warning didn’t really do
much.”
Wayne picked up on the seriousness in my tone. “Jace hasn’t stopped?”
“No,” I said, my voice shaking a bit. “It’s like he’s trying to destroy my company in one hit.”
I couldn’t hide the anger in my voice.
The fact that my involvement was putting the company at risk, even losing clients–it was really weighing
on me.
“This is beyond reckless. I’ll talk to my dad,” Wayne said, his own frustration creeping in.
“Let me handle it,” I offered. “I was already planning to visit your dad today, with a birthday gift in hand. I can bring it up then, see if the gift sweetens the deal.”
My words lit up a spark in Wayne’s eyes.
A warm smile spread across his face. “Awesome. Today, then? We can head back together.”
Seeing the hopeful look in his eyes, I hesitated for a second before replying, “Yeah, today. But I’m bringing someone with me.”
“Who?” Wayne asked, still smiling. “A friend of yours?”
“Yeah, my boyfriend,” I said.
Wayne’s smile froze.
The shock and pain in his eyes hit me like a punch to the gut.
I could see how he felt about me–something Lindey had hinted at before. It was better to hurt him now, to make him face the truth, and end any thoughts he shouldn’t have had.
It took a few seconds before Wayne, his voice shaky, asked, “Rea… your boyfriend is…”
“Hayden Hart.”
Wayne’s expression darkened even more. “Rea…”
“I know what you’re going to say, but I’m not messing around with my happiness, and I’m definitely not doing this out of spite,” I said, forcing the words out, even though they felt like lies.
Wayne, who was usually so composed, looked like he was breaking inside. “But I can’t believe you’ve moved on from Jace so fast.”
His words almost made me want to laugh. If he understood that, why did he let himself catch feelings for
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Chapter 149
me?
No, Wayne’s feelings for me must’ve started way before he left Kehlmark.
Maybe that’s why he stayed away for so many years.
The thought weighed on my chest, making it hard to breathe. I turned my head, avoiding his gaze, and said coldly, “You’re wrong. I won’t waste my time on someone who isn’t worth it or on feelings that don’t
matter.”
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