Chapter 961



Lacey was momentarily speechless. She knew Kallie was telling the truth, and their lunch only fueled her anxiety. A family lunch, with their children present, was the ideal opportunity for Jake and Kallie to rekindle their relationship.

Panic had driven Lacey to dress provocatively before rushing over, hoping to capture Jake’s attention. Deep down, however, she knew it was a futile attempt. Yet, driving a wedge between Jake and Kallie was precisely what Lacey aimed to do.

Kallie’s evident annoyance brought a smug smile to Lacey’s face. She said, her voice dripping with malice, “I know Jake agreed to this whole charade. But I also know he doesn’t have any real feelings for you. He’s only doing this for the kids. Don’t you think that’s a pretty shaky foundation for a relationship, Kallie?”

Lacey leaned in close, her voice a venomous whisper against Kallie’s ear. She braced herself for a slap, a retort, anything. But Kallie remained unruffled, her composure unshaken by Lacey’s taunts.

“Don’t waste your energy on me, Lacey,” Kallie sighed, a hint of amusement in her voice.

“If you want Jake’s love, focusing on me is a complete waste of time.”

Lacey’s face flushed, her carefully constructed facade momentarily crumbling.

“What are you talking about?” she retorted defensively.

“I’ve already won Jake over. Why else would I be so comfortable with him? Just because your relationship with him failed doesn’t mean everyone else will share the same fate.”

Kallie’s eyes drifted upwards, landing on a bright red mark on Lacey’s neck. It was a rather conspicuous mark, the kind often left by a passionate encounter.

A soft laugh escaped Kallie’s lips. She reached out and gently traced the mark with her fingertip.

Lacey flinched, her eyes widening in surprise. She instinctively covered her neck, her eyes darting between Kallie and the door, a mixture of fear and defiance in her expression.

“What are you doing?” she demanded, her voice trembling slightly.

“Are you going to hurt me?”

Kallie shook her head, a playful smile on her lips.

“I don’t need to do anything to you, Lacey. I admit I still love Jake. But I’m not like you. Love isn’t everything to me. If I love a man and he doesn’t love me back, I’m not going to let it define me or make me settle for less than I deserve.”

Lacey knew the barb was aimed squarely at her.

“Stop lying!” she spat back, her voice laced with bitterness.

“You must regret losing Jake. Enough with your excuses!”

Kallie said, her voice light and airy, “Don’t bother with such antics. Firstly, I won’t be fooled by tricks like that. And secondly, if Jake truly loved you, he wouldn’t have dined with me.”

Kallie knew Jake better than that. He wasn’t the type to be unfaithful and would have avoided a lunch with her if he had indeed fallen for Lacey.

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