“She doesn’t believe me, but I did defend you.”
“What was her response?”
“I told her that I saw it all take place. She asked me if I heard your conversation, and I had to tell her the truth. I didn’t hear it.”
“She believes I knew where Tucker was all along. Why would I have kept that from her? It doesn’t make sense.”
“To win.”
Ah—Blythe believed it was still a game between the three of them. “That’s crazy.”
“I don’t recommend you say that to her if you’re given the opportunity.”
“No. I wouldn’t. But this is life, Bree. We’re talking about a baby’s life. And Blythe’s life. I stepped in because Tucker wasn’t here, because it was the right thing to do, not because I wanted to win a prize. What a low opinion she must have of me to think her life would mean so little.”
Jace sat down and put his head in his hands. He’d done everything he knew to do for Blythe, yet she still believed he’d been lying to her, that it had only been a game.
He knew his feelings mattered little in this scenario, but it didn’t change how hurt he felt. He’d offered Blythe his heart. Whether or not she could return his love, he’d been willing to give her his, and she still thought it was all a game to him. He wondered what that said about the kind of person people believed him to be. He’d spent almost every day of the last couple of months with her, yet she didn’t know him at all.
“I’ll talk to her again. I’ll keep talking to her.”
“Thank you, Bree. I know this isn’t easy for you.”
“It isn’t about me. It’s about her. And Tucker. And you. I’ll tell her I believe you, but even if she accepts it, nothing much changes. With Tucker back in the picture, she won’t need you in the same way. And she wants nothing to do with him either.”
“It’s his baby.”
“She knows that. It doesn’t mean she’ll want him in her life. The baby’s life, maybe. Her life, I don’t know what to think.”
“I’m going back upstairs now,” she told him. “I just came down to tell you what she said.”
“Thanks, Bree. I mean it sincerely.”
She nodded and walked away, leaving Jace feeling as though there was a gaping hole in his chest. Was it because Blythe didn’t believe him, or because he didn’t want Bree to leave?
Blythe was being moved up to a room on the obstetrics floor since she’d be in the hospital at least overnight. The doctor explained the placenta previa meant part of the placenta was covering the opening of the cervix, which is why Blythe experienced bleeding. Since the placenta was only partially covering the opening, the doctor hoped that, as the uterus grew, the placenta would move higher, and the blockage would no longer be an issue.
If that happened naturally, Blythe would be able to resume normal activity. If it didn’t, he would insist on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy.
“Bree?” Jace stood when he saw her get off the elevator again an hour later.
“I’m on my way to give blood.”
“How is she?”
“She’s being moved to a different floor so they can monitor her and the baby.” She looked around him into the waiting area.
“Did Tucker leave again?” Bree asked him.
“No. He’s outside.”
“You might as well go home. I mean, not home, but wherever you’re staying. Where are you staying?”
Jace had been staying with Billy and Renie. Now that Tucker was here, he didn’t know. He was sure it would be okay, but he wouldn’t want to impose. It might be better for them to get a hotel room close to the hospital.
“Is there any chance she’ll talk to me?”
“Not yet, and honestly, Jace, there isn’t any hurry. Why risk getting her worked up right now? Be patient. You’ll get your chance to clear this up.”