Chapter 56

Jackson’s POV

I wanted to believe Monica. God knows I did. But after everything, I just couldn’t fall for her lies again.

She looked genuinely confused when Vera first mentioned the red envelope and the lily flower, but then, she also claimed she was the one who sent it and said no one could change that. Like it didn’t matter who it hurt. Like she had won.

For a second, as I stared into her eyes, I saw something, maybe innocence, maybe regret. But I looked away quickly, pretending to check my wristwatch. As if time had any meaning to me right now.

“Don’t take me for a fool, Monica,” I said, my voice low and heavy. “People change and you changed when I was stuck in that hospital bed. I don’t even recognize you anymore.”

She scoffed, wiping her face with the back of her hand. “Too bad, Jackson. You changed too. Just so you know, someone gave me that envelope on Christmas Eve. I was going to throw it out, but instead, I dumped it on her. I