Even though I'd figured it all out, my heart still ached.
Back then, he did seem really sweet, like he laid everything out for me.
When did it change? Maybe when I refused to quit my career, or when his old flame came back to the States.
"Okay, girls get shy, she didn't mean it. Ease up, Jason," a girl said, grabbing his hand affectionately.
He didn't pull away.
That's Ava Taylor, Jason's old flame.
Whenever Jason and I were together, she'd call right on cue, and they'd chat forever.
"Olivia, you messed up too, apologize to her, quick."
"No need," I flatly refused.
She stood there, looking all sad like a hurt kitten.
Jason's buddies couldn't stand it anymore, "C'mon, Jason, it's your birthday. We were just messing around. She can't take a joke, huh? Ava tried to smooth things over, but no thanks from her. Olivia's fiery, but she's no athlete. A bit more force, and she'd be in the hospital, right?"
Everyone's stares were like a clear warning—don't be ungrateful.
Including Jason.
"Grace, you crossed the line."
"Then it's done. Let's break up," I said, meeting Jason's gaze without flinching.
He paused, then frowned, "Are you serious?"
"Did I hear that right? She wants to dump our boy Jason?" Laughter erupted from downstairs.
Jason's face soured.
They kept at it, "Jason, you're not really into this hick, are ya?"
"Cut it out, how does she stack up to our Ava?" Olivia looked like she was about to slap me.
Ava's eyes welled up, "Jason..."
"Me, into her?" Jason then pulled Ava into his arms, "She's been putting on the virgin act and living a thousand miles from me. Who'd stand that? Only 'cause she's tame, who'd want someone from such a backwater?"
I lowered my gaze, clinging to my last shred of dignity, "Then please, Mr. Wright, find time to terminate our contract, and let's part ways."
"You know the drill. You know the club's breakup fee is two million. Not much, but you can't even scrounge up half a million right now. Grace, think about it. Without my connections, without any backing, you're nothing."
He wasn't even apologetic after I called him out.
I should've seen this coming.
The new head of my current club, Radiant Wings, is him, the scion of the Wright family.
Including the fact that I got squeezed out this time because of him.
"Since I chose to come here today, I'll never regret it."
He knew better than anyone why I wasn't fit for those events.