I hadn’t seen him since that day. Well, I didn’t go to the office after that. Though he didn’t do anything else after that confrontation, I knew he wasn’t going to sit still. Knowing that I knew his truth, he’d always have this fear of being exposed in his mind. And he would do something to prevent that.

And that vexed me. I wanted him out of our lives as soon as possible. But until I knew what part of Ace’s past he was using as a weapon against me, I couldn’t do anything. And that was half of the reason behind my urgency to know the truth.

I could just tell Ace about it, but I couldn’t take the risk of Arthur doing something to Ace, either. I just couldn’t. What if he was telling the truth? What if he really did know something, the same thing Ace wanted to hide from me?

I groaned. Frustration built up in me. Everything was turning into a mess.

My phone buzzed again. I glared at his name that flashed over the screen.

I didn’t know what I was going to do next, but I wasn’t going back until he tells me that he trusts me and promises not to repeat the words he spit tonight. He had to rectify his mistake and apologize to Warner. For everything he did to him.

I cut his call and wiped my face. The rain stopped, leaving goosebumps on my skin with the chilling breeze it left. I was only in a thin cotton sundress. The wet fabric clung to me like a second skin.

My phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message. From Warner.

Warner: Please, Emerald. Just one last time. Don’t I even deserve it?

I frowned in confusion. What was he talking about?

And then I read the other message he sent me earlier. It was delivered in the evening. My phone wasn’t with me then, so I couldn’t check it earlier.

Warner: Em, I know I crossed my line again today. For that, you must be mad at me. And I’m really sorry for that.

Warner: I’m leaving for NY tonight. I don’t know when I can see you again. So… can you please meet me one last time before I go back? I want to remember your smile when I leave.

My frown deepened. He was leaving? Tonight? But why so sudden?

I sighed. Of course. After the way I hurt him and after what Ace did to him, why would he want to stay? Plus, he had a life of his own.

I also didn’t want him to leave on a bitter note. I wanted to apologize to him for Ace’s actions again.