Chapter 901



Tears welled up in Kallie’s eyes. “Jake?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Is it really you? Or am I dreaming again?”

But Jake didn’t seem happy to see Kallie. His face was expressionless, his eyes cold. Kallie felt flustered—Jake had never seen her like this before.

“Jake,” she said, her voice filled with unease. Tears streamed down her face, her eyes red. “This isn’t a dream, is it?”

Jake’s heart ached at the sight of Kallie’s tear-stained face, her brow furrowed in worry. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white in a bid to keep his inner turmoil in check.

Jake stepped forward. Each step sent a jolt of anticipation through Kallie. Her eyes lit up. Overjoyed, she rushed toward him. But just as she was about to reach for him, Jake looked down, subtly avoiding her touch, and walked past her as if she were a stranger.

Kallie stared in disbelief, frozen in place. She didn’t move until Jake walked past her. She turned her head stiffly and saw Jake standing beside Lacey. Lacey’s face, which had been tense a moment before, relaxed into a smug grin. Lacey twirled around, showing off her dress to Jake.

“What do you think?” she asked.

“You look beautiful,” Jake replied.

Overwhelmed, Kallie nearly lost her balance, her heart filled with sorrow and bitterness. What was going on? Did Jake and Lacey know each other? And not only did they know each other, but Lacey was showing him a wedding dress. Were they together? But that couldn’t be. How could Jake be with someone else?

Kallie wanted to rush over and demand answers, but her feet felt like lead. She didn’t have the courage to pose the itching question. She dreaded learning the true nature of their relationship, as it would plunge her into a deeper sadness. She was reluctant to face the prospect that all those years she had waited for him had been for nothing.

Tears streamed down Kallie’s face. She had never cried in public before. This was the first time she had ever let anyone see her cry this bitterly. She felt completely drained.

Lacey saw how upset Kallie was and felt a surge of satisfaction. “She looks pretty upset,” she whispered to Jake. “Are you sure about keeping this up?”

Though his resolve wavered, Jake didn’t turn back to look at Kallie.

“She’s just putting on a show. I don’t believe her,” Jake said, his voice tinged with doubt.

Lacey noticed something was off about Jake’s demeanor, and her smugness diminished significantly. She bit her lip, saying nothing. The three of them stood there in silence, the tension thick between them. Only then did Lacey realize she had underestimated Kallie. If it were her, she would have stormed off by now. But Kallie just stood there, staring at Jake, who was struggling to keep up his act.

Lacey could tell Jake still harbored feelings toward Kallie, despite his earlier aloof performance. He wouldn’t be avoiding Kallie if he truly didn’t love her anymore. Jake’s hands were shaking slightly, striving to fight back his urge to embrace Kallie.

Lacey took Jake’s hand. “I think we’ve done enough shopping for today. I didn’t see anything I liked anyway. Let’s come back another day,” she said.

Jake mumbled a quick response and strode out of the bridal shop, Lacey trailing behind him. He brushed past Kallie without so much as a glance, as if she were a stranger.

Kallie’s heart sank as she listened to his retreating footsteps. All hope drained from her, leaving her feeling lost and adrift. So, her persistence all these years had been a joke all along.

Oblivious to the curious stares of the other customers, Kallie sank to the floor, burying her face in her hands.

.

.

.