Chapter 26

My calm mask instantly shattered. I looked into Jim's eyes. "Don't tell him…" My sincerity must've taken him aback, because he only looked at me in confusion. "Why not? If this were before, you would've been more than happy to let him know." I pursed my lips and answered, "Maybe I've changed. Is that not allowed?" "That's not like you," he said with a shake of his head. "The old you would've never skipped a chance to make him feel pity toward you." He then let out a meaningful chuckle. "You've used this kind of 'woe-is-me' ploy plenty of times before." I clenched my jaw. "Is that so?" "It is," he answered nonchalantly. "However, these tricks will get old if you overuse them, and he'll eventually stop caring." I nodded in affirmation. "Then, don't tell him about this. He won't believe it anyway." Jim's gaze rested on me heavily, his eyes filled with scrutiny. "You're really different from before. It's quite the drastic change." "Really?" I asked while glancing at my wrist. I