Dead at Heart novel

Chapter 858 Wade initiated a private conversation with Janice after Nicholas urged them to seize the opportunity to reconnect now that Wade had been transferred back. Janice, confused by Wade's sudden seriousness and cold demeanor, followed him outside to a quiet corner where he confronted her about a meeting between their families that she had apparently kept secret. Wade expressed disappointment and frustration, feeling excluded and misled about the engagement and wedding plans.

Janice, realizing Wade misunderstood the situation, firmly denied orchestrating anything behind his back and reassured him that she would not break her promise. She insisted that Wade could trust her and that she was not trying to interfere with his reunion with his sister, Alicia. However, Wade was upset that Janice involved Alicia in their conflict, warning her about the potential harm to Alicia's reputation if their argument became public.

The tension escalated as Janice challenged Wade's protective attitude toward Alicia, accusing him of being biased and careless with words and actions that affected others' reputations. She revealed her frustration with the complicated dynamics between Wade, Alicia, and herself, emphasizing that Wade's loyalty seemed misplaced since they were not even blood relatives. Wade, surprised by Janice's boldness and determination, remained calm but defensive, insisting that he had done nothing wrong. Wade took the first step, asking Janice if they could speak privately.

Nicholas immediately caught Janice's attention, waving at her with a satisfied grin. "What are you waiting for? You two have been stuck in a long-distance relationship for so long. Now that Wade's been transferred back, you finally have a chance to really connect." Janice glanced at Wade, confusion flickering across her face. Without a word, Wade simply nodded and turned toward the exit, walking away silently. With no other option, Janice followed him out. The courtyard was still softly illuminated by the warm glow of the lights.

Wade stopped in a secluded corner where their conversation wouldn't be overheard, facing her with a serious expression. Janice noticed the coldness in his eyes and the tightness of his jaw. "What's with that look?" she asked quietly. The atmosphere between them felt tense, and the absence of warmth in Wade's gaze made her uneasy. She had always been attuned to his moods, and this one was clearly a bad sign. "What exactly are you trying to do?" Wade's voice was clipped, distant, but not harsh. Janice's confusion deepened.

"What do you mean?" From Wade's perspective, it seemed like she was pretending nothing was wrong. If Alicia hadn't told him about today's meeting between their families, what explanation would Janice have given to Charles? "If you didn't want to call off the engagement, you didn't have to handle it this way," Wade said, his tone steady but heavy with disappointment. "Keeping me in the dark doesn't solve anything. I'm your fiancé. Even if you secretly agreed to a wedding with my father, who's going to force me if I don't want to get married?

And even if you're going back on your word, being honest about it isn't shameful." Though his words were calm, there was an unmistakable reproach beneath them, as if he was scolding her for taking matters into her own hands. Suddenly, Janice understood his misunderstanding. Wade thought she had orchestrated the meeting between their families behind his back, planning the wedding without him and breaking their promise. She met his cold stare. The usual distance in his eyes was familiar, but now there was a sharpness that cut deeper.

Janice clenched her fists tightly, refusing to be intimidated by the sharp edge in his expression. Gritting her teeth, she held his gaze. "You're overthinking this," she said firmly. "I won't break my promise. You can trust me. I'm not going to stand in the way of you being happily reunited with your beloved sister." "Janice," Wade's voice dropped, his pupils darkening with an emotion she couldn't quite place-anger? Frustration? His jaw clenched as he spoke slowly, each word deliberate. "This is between you and me. Why do you always have to drag Allie into this?

Don't you realize how much harm this kind of talk could do to her if anyone overheard?" Janice was momentarily stunned. Hurt and feeling wronged, she kept her expression steady, unwilling to show any vulnerability. That phrase again-Alicia's reputation always seemed to come first. "If you both really cared about reputation, wouldn't you be more careful? Don't you see how obvious you are? It's not me ruining her reputation-it's your actions and words!" Her voice grew stronger, her eyes wide with defiance.

Fresh chapters posted on FindNovel.net Since things had come to this point, she saw no reason to hold back any longer. She might as well lay everything on the table. Wade and Alicia weren't even related by blood. Even among real siblings, few truly listen to each other all the time. And here, they weren't siblings at all. So why was Wade so biased in everything? Wade had never heard Janice speak to him like this before. Looking into the reckless determination blazing in her eyes, he felt an unexpected sting in his chest.

He didn't lose his temper but pressed his lips together, holding back for a long moment. "I've done nothing wrong." The charged silence between Wade and Janice in the courtyard spoke volumes about the fractures in their relationship, revealing the deep misunderstandings and unspoken resentments that had quietly festered beneath the surface. Both were caught in a painful dance of mistrust and wounded pride, struggling to reconcile their promises with the harsh realities of their situation.

Their confrontation laid bare the emotional distance that had grown between them, despite their shared history and lingering feelings. Yet, beneath the tension and sharp words, there remained a fragile thread of connection, a mutual desire for honesty and understanding that neither could fully ignore. This chapter captured the complexity of love tested by secrets and expectations, highlighting how even the strongest bonds can be strained by silence and assumptions.

At the same time, the shadow of Alicia's reputation looms large, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. The characters' loyalties and motivations will be tested, pushing them to question not only each other but also their own beliefs and desires. The delicate balance between personal feelings and family expectations is poised to create a compelling conflict that will keep hearts pounding and minds racing.