VeryNovelChapter 21
Chapter 721
Tears were still running down Demi's cheeks when the suddenly rented, "Hoses, the starving Grabrisotto,"
"On it," | said quickly, "Want smeat, too?"
She used to be all about meat-then complain about dieting right der
"Meat helps you heal, right? Why not?" she replied with a playful grin, Ne the old Demi was still in there
somewhere.
Her smile hitharder than her tears. How could she act so normal when | knew the wasn't okay? | forced a
grin. "Alright. Pork belly sound good?
"Make sure it's marbled, not all lean or fat," she quipped, her usual picky self.
"Got it. Only the best for you," | promised, standing up.
But instead of leaving, | hovered outside her door, leaning against the frame. A moment later, the sound of her
quiet sobs slipped through.
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| pressed my back to the wall, eyes shut, my chest tightening like | couldn't breathe. After a second to pull
myself together, | headed out to grab her food. That's when I ran into Jace.
The second | saw him, my mind flashed to the image of him coughing up blood-crimson dripping down his chin. It
was so vivid, | couldn't shake it.
He spottedtoo, but neither of us said anything
He walked right past me, close enough for our shoulders to brush. No glance, no acknowledgment. Like | wasn't
even there.
After ten years, four of them as a couple, that's all we'd become-nothing
And yet, maybe that's what we were now. Just two people, no strings attached.
"One order of pea risotto, slow-roasted pork belly, and a salad," | told the cashier, rattling off Demi's favorites.
Even though | knew she couldn't eat much, | got her extra-just in case. A dessert, too, because she deserved
something sweet.
With the bag in hand, | left the restaurant. But there he was again-Jace, leaning against a
car.
He ignoredearlier, but now he was clearly waiting. | didn't say anything, just stared. "What are you doing
here? Not feeling well?" he finally asked.
It was a hospital cafeteria, so fair question.
- 75 BONUS
1 couldn't bring up Demi, and Hayden was off-limits, so | lied, "I'm here for Lena."
He glanced at the takeout bag. "You're still lying to me, huh?"
1 hesitated, then shrugged. "Fine. It's for Xander. He's hurt."
Wayne knew, Cole had seen him-Jace was bound to find out sooner or later.
Jace's face shifted, but barely. The last the'd heard Xander's voice-or Hayden's, really
he ended up coughing blood. | bet part of him thought he'd have a chance now that Hayden was 'gone.
But Xander being back? It messed with that fantasy.
Not that it mattered. Jace and | were long over. No way was | going back.
"Oh," he said casually. "Is it serious?"
There wasn't any real concern in his voice-just curiosity, maybe.
"Not really," | said flatly.
Jace's eyes flicked to the food. "Doesn't seem like he's in too much trouble if you're buying enough for a whole
party."
| didn't answer, and neither did he. The silence stretched between us, awkward and heavy. That's when | noticed
how bad he looked-thinner, tired. The weight loss didn't suit him; it just made him look... off. "Goodbye," he
finally said, turning to leave.
"Goodbye," | whispered back, barely loud enough for myself to hear.
| carried the food back to Demi's room, but the moment | stepped out of the elevator, two guys in black suits
were waiting.
They looked at me, then the bag.
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