Chapter 18 Is this love or bitterness?

After Jaden ended the call, he quickly dashed out of his apartment, started his car engine and went straight to his friend's bar. For he doubted everything his friend told him, he was a good practitioner of seeing is believing.

When he got to his friends bar he didn't believe all that his eyes saw at that moment. Jaden clenched his jaw, struggling to contain the surge of emotions within him. He watched Rita and Noah engrossed in conversation, sharing smiles and laughter, and it tore at his heart. Anger and jealousy burned within him, but he knew he had no right to interfere in Rita's personal life anymore.

Resigned to his position, Jaden retreated to a secluded corner of the bar, nursing his wine and trying to distract his mind from the scene before him. He knew he had to respect Rita's choices and the decisions they had made during the divorce proceedings. It was a difficult pill to swallow, but he couldn't deny the reality of their situation.

As Jaden sat alone, lost in his thoughts