NovelApexHello 519
Chapter 519
+25 BONUS
"Wait here," Jace said briskly, getting up.
Right now, he was acting like he'd do anything | asked, even anticipating what | needed before | said a word. If
he'd been like this before, maybe things wouldn't have ended the way they did. But there's no use wondering
about what-ifs. I'd closed that chapter for a reason.
As | looked away, my gaze happened to fall on his phone. The screen was paused on a video offrom a few
years ago. | had no idea what I'd been doing in it or even why it had been recorded.
For a split second, | felt tempted to pick it up and see, but before | could decide, Jace returned with the
water.
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He caughtlooking at his phone but didn't seem fazed. Instead, he gavea casual-smile. "While you were
sleeping, | went through sold photos and videos. Turns out you're even prettier now than you were back
then."
| took a sip of water, playing along. "Oh, so | wasn't cute enough before? Guess that explains a lot..."
"Stop right there," he cut in, blocking my jab with a smirk. "Let's not dig that up again."
| took a few more sips, feeling my throat start to relax.
"Are you really done with Tanya?" | asked, popping a bite of salad. The tangy crunch hit just right.
Jace picked up his phone again, scrolling like he hadn't heard me. I didn't push, just kept eating, letting the quiet
settle.
"When I'd nearly finished, he finally spoke. "It's over. Completely, in every way."
Remembering Tanya's parting words, | doubted things had ended as cleanly as Jace was making it sound. But
since he was so insistent, | just murmured, "Oh," and kept eating.
"Hold still," he said, reaching over to wipe the corner of my mouth with his thumb. "Little bit of oil there."
| pressed my lips together, feeling awkward. "Next time, just tell me."
He hesitated. "Sure. But, you know, sthings are just... habit. | only realize it after I've already done it."
He had a point. After ten years, shabits stuck, like the way he'd checked my forehead earlier-l hadn't even
thought to pull away.
| kept my head down, trying to focus on my food, but then the woman from the bed across the room cin,
talking to her relative. "There was a guy hanging around outside earlier, carrying a food container. Not sure what
he was doing." My hand froze mid-bite, and | glanced instinctively at the door, but no one was there.
The woman continued, "I thought he might be trouble, so | followed him quietly. And you won't believe this -he
just tossed the container straight into the trash."
My appetite vanished. "Which trash can did he throw it in?" | asked.
The woman looked a bit surprised, then offeredan awkward smile and held up a food container.
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 519
| walked over, took it, and opened the lid. Inside were three layers of my favorite dishes: caramelized mushroom
and kale salad, red cabbage risotto, and parmesan-crusted potatoes.
But one thing stood out immediately-the salad had chili flakes sprinkled on top. That tiny detail was enough to
make my heart twist. The Johnstons never used chili; it was a habit I'd picked up with Hayden, who loved a bit of
spice. Seeing these dishes stirred something in me, a mix of longing and frustration.
He'd broken up with me, hadn't he? He hadn't even cto check onafter I'd nearly been swept away. So
why was he here now, bringingfood I loved, then leaving without saying a word?
The questions bubbled up, each one sharper than the last. | turned to the woman. "Where did he go?"
"He... he left... she murmured.
Jace stepped closer, watching me. "Do you want to go after him?"
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