Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy #4)(100)

Dad tries to change the subject, but Jace won’t let him.

“You knew she was cheating…didn’t you?”

Dad’s green eyes turn dim. “People make mistakes, Jace. I didn’t want your mother to be remembered for hers.” He rubs his chest. “The only thing that matters is that you all know how much she loved you.” His voice cracks. “I want you to have good memories of her.”

Jace’s jaw tenses. “You never cheated on her with your secretary, did you?”

“No.” He scrubs a hand down his face. “I won’t sit here and pretend I’m a saint. When things became bad in our marriage, I thought about it… but I could never go through with it. I loved her too much and I kept hoping we could work it out.”

Jace looks so pissed that for a second I think he’s going to throw another glass. “You let me believe you were the one having the affair all these years.”

“I tried to tell you I didn’t, but you wouldn’t believe me.” His voice is barely a whisper. “After a while, I stopped trying to convince you, because it was better you be angry with me than with her.”

Jace looks so defeated I want to wrap my arms around him.

“Dad.”

It’s the first time Jace has called him that since…

He found Liam in his closet.

When Dad looks at him, he utters, “I’m sorry.”

Cole and I exchange a stunned glance. Jace never apologizes for anything.

Unless it’s to Dylan.

As if on cue, Dylan and Sawyer enter the kitchen.

Sawyer wraps her arms around Cole, and Dylan does the same to Jace.

“Can we go see Liam?” Cole buries his head against Sawyer’s chest. “I want to talk to him.”

She cups his face in her hands. “Of course we can.”

Wordlessly, Dylan takes Jace’s hand and they start to walk out.

But not before Jace stops to wrap me up in a hug. “I don’t know what the fuck to say. Just know that I love you.”

I kiss his cheek. “I love you, too.”

After they all leave, it’s just me and Dad who looks like he’s fighting back tears.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

I give him a hug. “It’s okay, Dad.”

His green eyes become glassy. “No, honey. It isn’t.”

He’s right, it’s not…but maybe one day it will be.

The genuine sadness in his expression pulls at my heart.

“I should have been there for you.”

He’s not wrong, however, I know he was fighting his own battles.

“It’s not too late to start now.”

With a heavy sigh, I make my way out of the house.

I sometimes wonder how different I’d be if these tragedies in my life didn’t happen.

Would I still be the little girl who wanted to be a ballerina…the one who was so desperate to fit in with the rest of the world?

Or would I still have ended up the callous bitch…the one who’s wicked demeanor was a shell she built around her for protection.

Either way…one thing still remains unchanged.

Regardless of the amnesia, I’ve never known who I am, because home still feels like a fairy tale I’ve been searching for my whole life.

However, the moment my eyes land on Oakley who’s still waiting for me at the end of the driveway, just like he said he would…

I can’t help but think I’ve finally found it.

Given Jace and Cole left before I did, I’m sure there was one hell of a confrontation he had to deal with.

Not that he looks like he gives a single fuck about that.

He watches me with concerned eyes before those safe arms wrap around me. “I’d ask if you’re okay, but…”

But I’m not.

The tips of his fingers press into the curve of my jaw. “What do you need?”

Just him.

“Can you take me somewhere?” I whisper. “I want to forget the world and disappear with you for a little while.”

His warm breath and deep voice caress my skin. “You got it.”





Chapter 49





Bianca





Past…





The sound of my phone ringing jolts me out of my sleep.

Oakley.

My heart jumps out of my chest as I reach for my phone, but my hopes are dashed when I see Jace’s name flash across the screen.

I quickly hit the ignore button and fall back into bed.

It’s been two days since I’ve spoken to Oakley.

Two days since he’s been home.

Two days since I’ve fucked everything up.

At this point, I don’t even care if he’s with another girl…I just hope he’s not off somewhere doing drugs.

Bringing my phone to my ear, I dial his number for what has to be the millionth time, but as usual, it goes straight to voicemail.

I groan when my phone rings and Jace’s name flashes across my screen again. Given he’s in New York with his girlfriend, you’d think he’d be off having fun instead of blowing up my phone.

Frustrated, I take the call.

“What?” I snap.