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Jayden’s smile wavers, and he hesitates for a moment. His eyes move to his phone in my hand, and he nods slowly, acknowledging my discovery. “I didn't intend for you to find out like this,” he admits. “I was going to tell you.”
“You were going to tell me that everything you have said to me, all the moments we shared, were just so you can win a bet?” I ask, my voice steady but with a mixture of confusion and concern.
Jayden sighs, his gaze downcast. “It was a foolish bet with my friends. I didn't take it seriously, and I regret participating in it. It only happened recently, and it was not meant to affect my feelings for you whatsoever. I value you more than that.”
I struggle to reconcile the image of Jayden, the man I was once head over heels for, with this new revelation. Jayden never struck me as the kind to do something like this despite his shortcomings.
“I opened up to you, Jayden.” I shrug, the tears stinging my eyes and threatening to pour out. “I told you I had been hurt in the past. I begged you to stay away, but you persisted. Did you do all this just because you wanted me in your bed as a toy?”
“No, Carissa––”
“And for what? 10,000 dollars.” I chuckle lightly, blinking back the tears, “Is that what I’m worth to you? 10,000 dollars and a few extravagant gifts?”
“I wish you would just let me explain, Carissa,” he says. “I do have genuine feelings for you, I swear. Boys play stupid games sometimes, but it was harmless.”
I drop his phone on the bed and cover my face with both hands, struggling to take charge of my emotions.
“That aside, you shouldn't be invading my privacy.”
I raise my head to look at him. I was hoping he would beg or tell me I didn't see what I saw. I was hoping he would lie to me.
But right now, Jayden’s privacy is more important to him.
I get on my feet and take a few steps toward him so he can look me in the eyes, because this will be the last time he ever has the opportunity to do so.
“Forgive me for invading your privacy and finding out I was just a pawn in one of your little boy games,” I scoff.
I walk over to the other side of the bed where my pants lay and picked them up, as well as my bag.
He doesn’t say another word as I walk away.
I don't know what hurts the most, the fact that he doesn't try to stop me or finding out nothing was ever real between us.
Chapter twenty-four
JAYDEN
Yesterday was one hell of a day for me.
My time with Carissa, which had started unexpectedly well, had ended up going sour, thanks to Mark.
I shouldn’t have agreed to something as foolish as that.
What was I thinking?
Since Carissa stormed out of my house, the weight of the guilt has settled heavily on my shoulders, and the realization of the pain I have inadvertently caused her gnaws at me.
I know I have to find a way to make amends.
I keep peeking at her desk, but she hasn’t shown up to work yet, making my anxiety even worse.
I wonder what she has decided. Will she be coming back?
My guilt will kill me if she doesn’t.
I resist the urge to ask any of her colleagues if she’s called in sick or has said anything at all.
I retreat to my office, deep in thought, my mind consumed by the need to win her back.
