Chapter 76: A mistake

Miranda stood alone in the parking lot, arms folded tightly against her chest, the cool evening breeze brushing her skin. She had called her driver the moment she walked out of the garden, not trusting herself to stay a second longer near Jace. FLASHBACK She had pulled away from the kiss abruptly, her breath uneven, her heart pounding. Her eyes locked onto his. "See? You love me. You want me," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "No, I don't," Jace replied quickly, refusing to meet her eyes. "I'm sorry for that, but I love Dorah. Nothing is changing that." "Stop deceiving yourself, Jace. You just kissed me right now." "You were the one who kissed me." "But you kissed back!" she shouted, her voice cracking. "It was a mistake," he muttered, glancing around as if hoping the ground would swallow him up. "What?!" she gasped, her expression a mix of disbelief and pain. "The kiss... everything... it was all a mistake. You shouldn't count it as anything special." Miranda took a step backward, her eyes shimmering. "What?" she whispered again, this time more to herself. "Mira, I....." "Don't!" she cut him off, raising a hand. Her voice broke as she turned sharply and bolted out of the garden. FLASHBACK ENDS She hadn't even bothered to go back for her things. Just her bag, that was all she needed. The other girls would take care of the rest, but she couldn't bring herself to face them. How could she? They were her friends… and Dorah, her best friend. How would they feel if they found out she'd been jealous all along? A sudden car horn snapped her out of her thoughts. Her driver had arrived. She climbed into the backseat without a word. 'Are you guys done already?" he asked, pulling out of the parking lot. 'I just don't feel like staying anymore," she said, eyes on the window. 'Is Dad still home?" 'No, he left right after you did this morning," the driver replied, watching her through the rearview mirror. She let out a tired sigh. 'He's never there for me. I'm no different from an orphan," she murmured, shutting her eyes and leaning against the seat. Meanwhile, Jace walked slowly toward the hall. His steps felt heavier than usual. Outside, he spotted his father, Agnes, Dorah, and a few of her friends. The moment they saw him, Dorah and the girls rushed forward. 'Where's she?" Dorah asked quickly. 'She left," Jace said flatly, his tone unreadable. 'Why?" Prudence questioned, glancing between them. Without wasting time, Dorah pulled out her phone and dialed Miranda's number. 'Hey," Miranda answered, her voice soft. 'Mira, what happened? Why did you suddenly leave?" Dorah asked, already suspicious. 'I'm just feeling a little off. That's why I left." 'You don't sound okay, babe. What's going on?" Dorah pressed. 'I'm fine, Dorah. I just need to clear my mind," Miranda said, sniffing slightly. 'You were perfectly fine moments ago. Did something happen with Jace? Did you two argue?" Miranda went silent. 'Miranda, talk to me. What's wrong?" 'Dorah, can we talk later?" Miranda whispered before ending the call. 'Shit," Dorah muttered under her breath. 'What happened?" Emma asked. 'I think something happened between those two," Dorah said, her eyes narrowing in Jace's direction. 'No wonder. Jace seems off too," Prudence added, watching him closely. At that moment, Joseph pulled Jace into a hug. 'Oh, son, I'm proud of you. You actually did it. You're really my son," he said with a broad smile. 'Thanks, Dad," Jace replied, forcing a grin. 'You did really well, dear. You were amazing out there," Agnes chimed in, giving him a warm pat on the shoulder. 'Thanks, Aunt," he murmured. 'Well, how about dinner tonight at my place?" Agnes suggested cheerfully. 'I don't mind," Jace said. 'I miss your cooking, after all." Later that evening, the four of them Agnes, Joseph, Dorah, and Jace sat around the dining table in Dorah's home. The atmosphere should have been lively, but only Agnes and Joseph seemed to enjoy themselves. The two adults were in the kitchen, reminiscing about old times while Agnes cooked and Joseph chatted away. Jace and Dorah, on the other hand, sat in silence. Jace looked distracted, barely touching his food, while Dorah kept sneaking glances at him, her frustration building. Eventually, she stood up and began clearing the dishes. 'I'll help," Jace offered, standing as well. 'No, Jace....." Agnes started, but he insisted. 'I'll do it," he said, already gathering the plates. They entered the kitchen together. 'I really can't keep up with this anymore," Dorah said suddenly, her voice quiet but firm. 'What?" Jace asked, rinsing a plate. 'We need to talk." 'There's nothing to talk about." 'There is, Mr. Man," she said firmly. 'You're not running from this." 'Okay," he said, too casually. 'We're planning on settling for a movie. You guys in?" Agnes called from the other room. 'We'll skip, Mum," Dorah replied quickly. After finishing the dishes, Dorah peeled off her gloves and tossed them aside. She slid onto the breakfast bar, nudging a stool toward Jace with her foot. 'Jace," she said as he sat down across from her, 'you know you can talk to me. I'm your best friend." Jace snorted. 'Keep playing. You're not my only best friend. I have Mi...." He stopped. 'Guess it's just you and the flower boys now." 'But I'm still the only one here right now. So talk." 'Suit yourself," he muttered. She leaned in, her eyes searching his. 'What happened between you and Mira? She won't say anything. And you've been weird all day. Just tell me." 'You can't do anything, Dorah. You're off-limits in this matter. Let it go," he said, his jaw clenched. 'I can't. You're both my best friends." 'Just drop it." 'I won't," she snapped, keeping her voice low. 'Fine!" Jace suddenly exploded. 'You want to know? We kissed. Okay?! We both kissed. You satisfied now?" He pushed back his stool. 'Gosh! You're just so frustrating." He stormed out, leaving Dorah stunned. She quickly jumped down and chased after him. But as they stepped into the living room, they both froze. 'Dad?" 'Mum?!" Standing there, Agnes and Joseph, lips locked in a kiss. 'God! I seriously can't believe this," Jace muttered, backing away and storming out of the house. 'Jace!" his father called, hurrying after him. 'What do you think you're doing, Mum?" Dorah asked, still frozen in shock. 'Baby, it's not what you think. I can explain…" 'You're unbelievable, Mum," Dorah whispered, shaking her head before turning and walking away. Agnes sank into the nearest chair, burying her face in her hands. 'What have I done?" she whispered.