Chapter 123
Jace noticed the package sitting on the kitchen counter before he even noticed his own breath. The house was quiet, too quiet for a late morning and the sight of the small white box wrapped with a blue ribbon made something inside him tighten. Not again. He did not need to flip the tag to know who it was from.
Morgan.
He exhaled, long and slow, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He had told Morgan repeatedly that he needed the romance to calm down. That he was not ready. That Mila could not be dragged into anything that might confuse her fragile emotional state. That his life was too complicated, and his heart was…wrecked.
But Morgan kept trying anyway.
He stared at the gift for a full minute before reaching for it. Another sigh slipped out before he could stop it. He opened the card first.
Jace, I know that you do not want this but i just wanted you to know that I will always be here for you. —M
His throat clenched.
The flowers were simple, not too extravagant. They were white lilies, tied in a simple knot. That almost made it worse. Elias gave him luxury while Morgan gave him intention.
Jace swallowed, set the flowers down, and walked outside before he could think too hard about anything.
He found Morgan in the garden, trimming the edges of the hedges that Mila loved to hide behind when she played pretend.
“Morgan,” Jace called.
Morgan turned instantly, brows lifting as though he had been waiting for him all morning. “You got the flowers?”
Jace nodded. “Yeah. And that is actually why I wanted to talk to you.”
Morgan wiped his hands on his sweats, giving all his attention to Jace, to the moment, to the words Jace was not even sure he could say yet. That look alone made guilt pinch under his ribs.
They walked deeper into the garden, where the roses blocked the view from the house. Morgan stopped, turning toward him with that open, patient expression that made Jace’s stomach twist.
“I appreciate the thought,” Jace began softly, “but you really need to stop.”
Morgan blinked. “Stop what?”
“The gifts....The romance. The…everything.” His voice wavered. “I told you I am not ready.”
Morgan exhaled, slow and deep. “Jace… I know. But I also know you are hurting. And I am not trying to replace anyone. I just want you to know someone is here.”
Jace shook his head. “That is the problem. I do not want Mila or anyone to see anything and get confused. I do not want to feel like I am leading you on. I do not want—”
“You told me Elias wanted to end things,” Morgan said quietly. “You told me at dinner that night. You looked like someone carrying the weight of ten lives. Jace… I am not trying to take advantage of you. I just want to be the man who stands with you when everything else falls apart.”
Jace froze, breath snagging in his chest.
Morgan’s eyes softened, dark and earnest. “I want to give you reasons to smile again. Even if they are little. Even if they are quiet.” He swallowed. “Even if they are just for right now.”
Something trembled in Jace’s chest. A crack.....a pull..... a longing he did not want to name.
“Morgan…” he whispered.
Morgan lifted a hand and cupped Jace’s jaw gently and slowly, giving Jace time to move away. Jace did not move.
“I do not care how long it takes,” Morgan murmured. “I willl wait. I will go at your pace. I just need you to know that someone wants you. Not because of your marriage, or your money, or what you have survived. But because you are…you.”
The words hit him because they were too gentle, too kind, too undeserved.
And before Jace could think, before he could breathe properly, Morgan leaned in and kissed him.
Soft and tender. A question more than an answer.
And for a moment— a dangerous, foolish moment, Jace kissed him back.
Then...
A quiet gasp.
Jace’s entire body jerked, and he tore himself away from Morgan so fast the world tilted.
Mo stood at the garden entrance, frozen mid-step. Her eyes widened for a moment before she immediately turned around and headed back toward the house.
“Mo....wait....please,” Jace called, panic surging.
Morgan reached for him. “Jace, calm down—”
“This....this is exactly what I was trying to avoid,” Jace snapped, voice shaking. “This is why I told you to stop.”
He did not wait for Morgan’s response. He walked off fast, guilt pounding in his chest like a physical ache.
He caught up to Mo just as she stepped into the hallway.
“Mo, I...I can explain.” His breath trembled. “I did not mean for you to see that. It is not… It isn’t ""what it looked like. I mean....it is but—”
Mo turned, raising a hand gently. “Mr. Crane, Stop. It is okay.”
He blinked, lost.
She smiled, her smile was soft, warm and completely nonjudgmental. “I am not judging you. At all.”
Jace’s throat went tight.... Deep tight..... Painfully tight.
Mo continued, voice gentle. “I have actually suspected something for a while. Morgan has not exactly been discreet.” She chuckled under her breath.
Jace flushed. “Mo…”
“You two looked good together,” she said lightly, as if she were commenting on matching shirts and not the implosion of his emotional restraint.
Jace’s smile came out crooked and awkward. “It is not serious. I don’t… I am not trying to be with anyone.”
Mo nodded. “I understand completely. And honestly? You need to cool off. You have been depressed lately. Anyone can see it.”
That...those words hit harder than he expected.
Because, suddenly it all crashed back into him like a wave breaking over his chest.
His son was kidnapped.....His marriage unraveling.....Justin’s threats.....The recording.....Mila’s heartbreak.....His own loneliness.
He was carrying all of it alone.
Mo watched him carefully, like she could see the cracks forming.
Jace swallowed, blinking rapidly. He looked away, fighting the tightness rising in his chest.
“I am not perfect,” he whispered, voice shaking. “Never have been.”
Mo’s expression softened even further.
And then Jace surprised himself.
He lifted his gaze and said quietly, almost childlike, “Hey Mo… do you mind us being friends?”
Mo’s eyes warmed instantly. “Of course, Mr. Crane. I would love that.”
Something inside him loosened....Enough to breathe again.
The moment felt gentle.... Rare.... Safe.
A safety he had not felt in months.