The Blackmail Bride

Chapter 53 Part 1

I may have to edit this when I get back home. I'm currently on vacation and typed this all on phone. Love you all.

Villa

"What is this?" I asked.

Jace glanced at the picture before looking up at me.

He smiled. Of all the reactions that he could've given me at that time, the man I married smiled in a shy, somewhat sheepish, manner.

And there was a twinge in my stomach as I stared at him.

Jace cleared his throat, still staring at the picture...

"The photographer consulted me which picture should be framed. Truthfully, I asked my mother for help since I didn't know which one to pick. And I think this one worked out fine."

He didn't look at me once in all that time and I stared at him.

"We could put it up in the entrance hallway of your house," I said in a small voice, not even sure why I was suggesting that.

Jace nodded, agreeing, still not looking at me. And I realized just then...

"You know I know," my voice came out accusingly. "You wanted me to see the news earlier."

Only then did Jace look back. But he shrugged nonchalantly, "What news?"

He stepped into my space, going to the picture. He tore off the paper wrappings from the wood frame fully before setting it down carefully on the sofa. He stood there, as if admiring the picture for a few more moments. And I had all these questions in my head... only for all those thoughts to dissipate when he looked at me.

His eyebrows raised, as if expecting me to explain. Me? This confusing and infuriating person...

"You know what was in the news." I said again.

"What news?"

He was playing with me. And above all the emotions that have rolled in and out like an abusive storm, beating down and battering on my sanity, my eyes welled.

"Don't play dumb with me!" I finally raised my voice, "Jace... How true was the news earlier?"

Jace's full demeanor turned solemn watching my face. He then crossed his arms over his chest, and smiled nonchalantly.

"Well, what did you think about what you heard?"

I felt the blood rush to my head, "Be serious!"

I knew I was already red-faced. I glared, my chin wobbly. I wanted to hit those crossed arms.

The smile left that face as I continuously glared at him.

"You'd seen the numbers before."

He was referring to Sand Castle, El Nido.

"And?" I pursued.

Jace shrugged. He looked away for the next things he said, "Remember when you spoke in the meeting for Sand Castle, El Nido's issues? You wanted to be taken seriously, right? Well, besides taking you seriously, someone in that room decided it was a good enough story to sell. And here we are."

The tears that were brimming seemed to freeze as a I stared at Jace. The dawning realization of the meaning of his words...

Like a pin dropped in my brain.

"It was my fault, wasn't it?"

Jace blinked, as if surprised by that conclusion, "No—"

"If I didn't take your place at that meeting, they wouldn't have sold the story—"