Grandma Called It, I Dumped Him

My brain short-circuited watching him disappear with the girl he actually cared about.

I wasn't even asking for love anymore.

After everything—years of caring, years of loving—he couldn't show mercy, not even once?

The weight crushing me disappeared—Leroy had kicked the guy off and yanked me into his arms, shielding me as we ran.

"Let's go."

The chaos was wild but didn't last. Security showed up fast and shut it down.

I was still shaking, whole body trembling.

Leroy handed me a cup of hot water, eyes unreadable.

Not that I noticed. Didn't even think to ask why he was there. I just used the last of my strength to mumble a thanks.

***

News spread like wildfire. By that night, Grandpa already knew. And he was livid—demanded answers from both the Thorne and Stafford families.

The Staffords freaked. Ava got slapped with house arrest, and they sent over some awkward apology gift.

The Thornes? Furious. They made Jace show up in person to apologize.

That night, he stormed in and tossed a box of supplements on the table. His face was dark. "Demi, what happened today wasn't Ava's fault. I'm the one who didn't help. Why punish her? You settling old scores now?"

I lifted my bandaged arm. "You see this, Jace?"

He hesitated, then snapped, "You're still alive, aren't you? You're the Mancini's only heir—one phone call and the whole world rushes in to save you. But Ava's only got me. She almost got hurt too.

"Can you stop being so heartless? Talk to your grandpa and drop her punishment, or I'm canceling our engagement."

Like I was supposed to panic.

Grandma scoffed. "Shameless."

I was so over it. Too drained to yell.

"Security. Get him out."

A few guards stepped in and walked him right out the door.

As he left, he yelled, "Demi, you'll regret this!"

***

Jace didn't show up the next day.

Meanwhile, Grandpa wasn't playing around—he threw the biggest banquet the Mancinis had ever hosted.

All Four Legacy Families were there.

I walked into the hall in my gown, eyes landing on Jace in the center.

Ava was right beside him, glowing like she'd just won prom queen.

I blinked. Wait—wasn't she supposed to be on house arrest?

Grandma scoffed. "Jace probably bribed and threatened the Staffords to get her out. Funny how he never lifted a finger like that for you. What a heartless mutt."

Jace shot me a quick look—then turned away.

Ava? Smirked like she already knew the ending.

The crowd started whispering.

"Why does Jace look so over Demi? And why's he glued to the Stafford girl? I heard the Leighton heir's into Demi. Maybe we've got the wrong guy pegged as the fiancé."

"No way. Even if Jace has amnesia and only remembers Ava, Demi's obsessed with him. She'd literally die for that guy. He HAS to be Demi's husband."

Leroy threw a cold look their way. They shut up real fast and shuffled off.

Grandpa was glowing. He waved me up to the stage and handed me the mic. "Demi, this is your engagement banquet. Something this big—you should announce it yourself."

"Alright." I grabbed the mic, heart pounding. Jace's stare burned into me.

I smiled right at him. He flinched.

I spoke loud and clear. "Thanks for coming to my engagement banquet. Today, I want to formally introduce my fiancé—