Chapter 179

Jaden picked Mia up and rested her on his shoulder, gently patting her back to comfort her. Her tiny arms wrapped tightly around his neck. She was still shaken from everything she'd heard, but her breathing began to steady.

He looked at the others and said calmly, "Let's not lose sleep over this. For all you know, Declan Raze might show up at our door tomorrow, tail between his legs, asking for forgiveness."

The silence was instant.

Then-

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Nora's voice exploded, sharp and shaking. "Are you hearing yourself? You think this is some kind of joke?" She pointed a trembling finger at him, eyes wide with disbelief. "This is all happening because of you! If you hadn't assaulted Raze and that bully, Elias wouldn't have barged into our lives like a damn wrecking ball!"

Her fury lashed across the room like wildfire. Vane didn't say a word, but his face was like stone. Even his cigarette had burned down to the filter in his hand, forgotten.

Selena stepped in before it got worse. "Mom, enough," she said quietly. “Jaden did what he did because of me. He was defending me."

She turned to Jaden, trying to steady herself. "But let's be real, Jaden. That was reckless. You think Declan Raze is going to apologize? After what you did to him?" Her voice wavered between disbelief and exhausted sarcasm. "Let's just hope he doesn't press charges. If he pulls out of the contracts, I'm finished."

Jaden gave a casual shrug. "Relax. He'll be here tomorrow. Mark my words he'll show up and apologize. Publicly."

Selena just stared at him, dumbfounded. Was he playing dumb or genuinely delusional?

Raze, the arrogant, cruel bastard who strutted around like a demigod apologizing? Never. Especially not to people he saw as beneath him.

Selena had witnessed how men like Declan operated. Their egos were untouchable. Even if Raze mira ously felt a shred of guilt, he wouldn't ag his broken body to this house to show it. Not when his pride was mangled worse than his leg.

Vane scoffed. "This isn't the time to spin fairy tales. What we need is a plan that doesn't rely on pipe dreams." He stubbed out the cigarette with more force than necessary. "We're going to the hospital first thing tomorrow. Selena and I will speak to Raze, apologize directly. Jaden, you're coming with us."

His tone made it clear there was no room for argument.

Nora crossed her arms, lips drawn in a tight line. "If he even sees us, it'll be a miracle."

No one disagreed.

After a heavy silence, everyone retreated to their rooms. Vane and Nora left without another word. The tension in the house thickened like smog.

Selena gave Mia a warm bath, brushing her damp curls and wrapping her in a fluffy towel. She smiled softly at her daughter but couldn't hide the worry in her eyes.

Once Mia was tucked into bed, Jaden stepped out onto the balcony. The night air was cool, crisp. The stars hung above like silent witnesses.

He pulled out his phone and dialed.

It connected.

"Kaelus. I need you to get in touch with Morix Sable."

A beat of silence on the other end.

"Boss, are you sure?" Kaelus aske

his voice cautious. "Morix doesn't come cheap. He's not the kind of for just anything

guy you tap for just anyone

Jaden's eyes gleamed coldly in the dark.

"This isn't just anything. I want Raze ruined. Quietly. Publicly. And I want him to beg

before the sun sets tomorrow."

"Understood."

Click.

He ended the call and stood there for a moment, his hands resting on the rusty railing. The façade he'd worn all night shipped foojust a second content

on Calm

They thought he was some lowlife ex. A nobody. A joke.

Let them think that.

It made the reckoning sweeter.

Back inside, Selena was finishing up in the bedroom. Mia was already fast asleep,

her breathing soft and rhythmic.

Jaden walked in and rolled out a thin mat on the floor near the door.

Selena turned toward him. "There are rules," she said, arms crossed.

He looked up, raising an eyebrow. “Rules?”

She gave him a sharp glance. “Yes. One-you stay on the floor. No sneaking onto

the bed, no excuses."

Jaden smirked. "Noted."

"Two-don't talk in your sleep. Or snore. Or breathe weirdly."

"Sure. Anything else?"

"Yes." Her voice hardened. "And keep

your hands and eyes to yourself. I've heard stories about how men

behave when they sleep if you even

think of being inappropriate, I'll

throw you out myself."

Jaden blinked, then gave a small, amused laugh. "Wow. You really think I'm some

kind of pervert?"

"I don't think. I just don't take chances," she snapped.

He lifted both hands in mock surrender. “Fair enough."

He lay down on the mat, folded his arms behind his head, and stared at the ceiling.