NovelEnglishHello 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.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
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.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
1/2
+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?"
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
