The Blackmail Bride

Chapter 37

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mine

"Yeah, I did."

I didn't receive an instant reply. And in that space, I took a shaky breath in, willing the tears back before I looked back at him. At anyone.

We were too close to the guests. I still didn't want them to think something was amiss. Not here.

"I thought I had explained clearly to you before," Jace stated in a low tone only for me to hear. "But hearing you talk like that, why do I feel like that accusation wasn't just for Claire but for me as well?"

My head snapped back, my eyes landing on cool gray eyes carefully analyzing my reactions.

"I see," Jace mused, "I hit the right nail."

"Now isn't the best time either," I replied almost blankly.

His eyebrows drew together, "what?"

"You didn't explain anything to me that night," I reminded him, "you said it wasn't the best time to explain."

"Oh? Is that so?" he tilted his head to the side as if to recall that night, "But there really isn't anything to tell. I told you I was set up. How you said it just now probably summarized what happened, you could see it on Claire's face as well. There was nothing of value I could add to your statement."

This was how amazingly easy it is for Jace to tie loose ends with a few words. How smoothly he slipped out of a situation with such charming lies.

If I didn't know any better, I should just take his words for face value and move on. But I had to remind myself I saw the two of them that night.

How would Jace explain that?

If I bring it up now, what were the odds that he could effortlessly twist it to his favor?

More importantly, what were the odds that I would believe him?

"I told you not to worry about Claire. I said I'd handle it."

They were the same words he said during our engagement.

The arms around my waist tightened as if to get my attention. I had forgotten about it as I continued to stare into those gray voids.

I couldn't speak.

"Or perhaps this surprising behavior..." his gaze was entirely calculating as he continued to look at me steadily, "Don't tell me you're actually jealous?"

The lightest touch of humor to his words poked and salted an already open wound.

Did this person really take me for a joke?

I said I was beyond my limit. I said I was tired. But this... this was making me angry all over again.

"On top of this wedding, it amazes me how you could suggest something even more insulting." My mouth already opened before I could choose my words wisely.

The flip in Jace's face would be something to return to me in my nightmares.

I was the only one in close proximity to see the reality of what was happening. And to everyone else in this place, we were simply an awkward but happy young couple. How the image was maintained was mostly creditable to Jace. He pulled the weight for the both of us while I was so out of it, drowning in my own thoughts.

The barely changing expression even while we parried with Claire and Zeke... it was only when one looked carefully into those gray eyes, that you could see the amount of information he was absorbing from what was happening around me.