Ch. 181..190

Chapter 181 Chapter 181 I went to see Lena, and luckily, she was home.

+25 US you "What was with the late-night call? I was wiped after getting off the operating table and didn't call back. Were you sick or something?" Lena asked, only just remembering the missed call as soon as she saw me.

I kicked off my shoes and wandered across the carpet. If I was really sick, I'd probably be dead by now."

She wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "What's up? You mad?"

"Nah, I know you're busy. It was nothing, really," I said, deciding not to bring up Hayden being sick.

Lena wasn't buying it. "You don't call me in the middle of the night for nothing."

"It was about Hayden," I finally admitted. I didn't want her thinking it was something worse.

She handed me half of the watermelon juice she'd just made. "He's a catch. If you don't lock him down, you'll regret it for life."

My mind was still spinning from Jace. I took a sip of the juice. "Jace and I are officially done."

Lena scoffed. "Weren't you two done forever ago?"

I stared at a random spot. "This time, it's for real."

Lena picked up on my mood and clinked her glass against mine. "Congrats!"

The word made me laugh. "Jace was good to you, you know. Why are you like this?"

"No matter how good he was to me, if he wasn't good to you, what's the point?" Lena said, proving yet again why she was my ride-or-die. "Come on, forget about him. Drink your juice, and then we'll go grab some good food," Lena said, raising her glass for another toast. "I'm not in the mood." I turned her down.

But Lena wasn't having it. She still dragged me out the door. "After we eat, we're going bar-hopping to check out some hot guys."

Out of her white coat, Lena turned into a full-on city girl. You couldn't find a better example of "don't judge a book by its cover" than her.

She said a new French restaurant had opened, and she was taking me there for foie gras. And as luck would have it, the restaurant was right next to the cafe where Tanya wanted to meet. Before I even got out of the car, I spotted Tanya through the window. She was staring off into space, looking kind of... lost.

Honestly, she looked a little pathetic.

It had been two hours since she called and texted me. Guess she wasn't bluffing about waiting. Thinking about her last message, where she said she had something important to tell me, my curiosity Chapter 181 started winning out. Plus, if she kept sitting there, I knew I wouldn't be able to enjoy my meal.

I nodded toward the café. "I'm gonna go talk to her. You go ahead and order."

"Go for it," Lena said, not stopping me.

She knew Tanya was pregnant, and in Lena's eyes, no matter how messy things got with the adults, the kid didn't deserve to be dragged into it.

When I sat down in front of Tanya, she blinked like she hadn't expected me to actually show up.

"Didn't think you were coming," she said with a touch of sarcasm.

"I'm here for the sake of the baby." I replied bluntly.

Tanya gave a bitter smile. "Sit down. You want something? Coffee or-"

"No, thanks. Just get to the point-I've got dinner plans," I cut her off.

Tanya's expression turned a little awkward. She was trying hard to seem calm and collected, like someone totally content with life, but the strained smile on her face gave her away. "Alright, what did you want to talk about? Is this about Jace?" I asked, cutting straight to the chase.

Tanya lowered her head and glanced at her belly. After a moment, she looked back up at me. "Keira, do Jace's parents like kids?"

I blinked, caught off guard, trying to figure out where this was going. Then she added, "Do you think they'd accept the child I'm carrying?"

Chapter

182

Was she actually planning to marry Jace?

Why else would she ask something like that?

But i

just two hours ago, Jace was still trying to get me back.

Then Jace's words came flooding back: "Even if something happens to me if I get hurt, or worse-still won't regret it?"

Is this his twisted way of making me regret everything? If so, Jace has totally lost it. He's being so childish.

I looked at Tanya, pretending to be confused. "Hmm?"

"I want to be with Jace, like... get married," she said, meeting my eyes.

I gave her a small smile. "Is that so? Well, congrats."

"But I'm worried his parents won't accept the baby," she added, her face full of hesitation and uncertainty.

I tapped my fingers lightly on the table, staying quiet. This wasn't my problem, so I had no reason to chime in.

"Keira," Tanya said, her voice suddenly serious, "I know how much the Johnstons love you. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston treat you like their daughter, so. She paused, then continued, "So, can you help me? 1-1

She didn't have to explain-I knew exactly what she was asking.

"No."

Tanya's face turned even paler. "Why? Is it because you resent me for ruining things between you and Jace?"

At least she's self-aware. I didn't deny it. "A little."

I'm human, not a saint. Tanya may not have been the only reason Jace and I broke up, but she was definitely the spark that lit the fuse.

It was hard not to hold some resentment toward her.

But, if I'm being real, I should thank her. She made me see the truth about Jace and me-let me cut my losses before it got worse.

"Do you really think it was all my fault?" she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"Keira, you and Jace would've broken up eventually, even if I hadn't shown up," she went on, like she knew our relationship better than I did.

I let out a short laugh, playing dumb. "Oh?"

Tanya kept her eyes locked on me and continued, "You and Jace were together for ten years. Sure, you had feelings for each other, but not in a romantic way. Chapter 182

"What you felt was more like the bond between family!

The only reason you ended up together was because his parents pushed the idea on you, and you just went along with it."

She wasn't wrong. I'd thought about that before, too.

I used to wonder why Jace, while he was with me, would go behind my back and kiss someone like Tanya -a married woman, no less.

I also wondered why, after I left him, I didn't feel that gut-wrenching heartbreak you're supposed to feel after a breakup.

The truth was, we just didn't love each other enough. We were too comfortable, too familiar. Whatever love we had didn't have any real fire.

"If he truly loved you, if it was the kind of love that ignites at first sight and not the slow, dull kind, he wouldn't have kissed me, looking for excitement," Tanya said, her words hitting hard.

I gave her a small smile. "So, what? Are you trying to say you were justified in being the other woman?" "No," Tanya shot back quickly. "I was never the other woman. I didn't go after Jace. He came after me."

I didn't know-or care-who started it. But whatever she was trying to downplay, I knew exactly what she was angling for.

"So, because you don't think you broke up me and Jace, I'm supposed to speak up for you?" I asked. "I'm begging for your help," Tanya said, her voice soft, practically pleading now.

I pressed my lips together, taking her in for a second. She was delicate and soft-beautiful, sure-but definitely not Lindey's type.

Lindey was straightforward, with a beauty that was natural and sophisticated, the kind that came with at sense of nobility.

Chapter 183

Lindey liked women who were open and confident. As she always said, if someone looked meek and fragile, their heart and character probably weren't much bigger.

Judging by appearance wasn't ideal, but Lindey had been around long enough to have her reasons for thinking that way.

"I can't help you," I said bluntly.

"Why not?" Tanya's voice had a hint of panic.

I pressed my lips together for a second. "Lindey's strong-willed. You can't just change her mind that easily.

"But she cares about you. She'd at least listen to you," Tanya said, her gaze dropping, trying to look pitiful. You know my situation. Without Jace, I don't even know how I'll get through this." Desmond's death didn't make her this desperate, but now she couldn't imagine life without Jace?

I almost wanted to laugh.

"If you know Lindey cares about me, then you should also realize she'll never accept you," I said, because in Lindey's eyes, I was her ideal daughter-in-law. If it wasn't me, no one else would ever be good enough. Tanya went silent.

I

"Ms. Twain, if you want happiness, you'll have to fight for it yourself-not rely on other people," I said, getting to my feet.

Tanya muttered softly, "But what if there wasn't a baby? Would his family accept me then?"

I frowned slightly. Hadn't I made myself clear already?

But I was done explaining, so I turned and walked away.

Later, when I told Lena about Tanya's request, she shook her head with a laugh. "She's really got some

nerve."

I pouted. "She might manage to stay with Jace, but getting accepted into the Johnston family? That's al whole different ballgame."

I knew Matthew and Lindey well. Matthew cared a lot about appearances and reputation. He might not demand Jace marry someone from a wealthy family, but her background-had to be spotless. As for Lindey? No way she'd ever let her son be a stepfather.

*She knows she has no shot, so she came to you for a shortcut. You didn't give in, right?" Lena asked.

I clinked my glass against hers. "Do I look stupid or heartless to you?"

Lena chuckled, shaking her head. "Jace always seemed like he had his head on straight: I don't know. what's gotten into him this time."

"Whatever it is, it's not my problem anymore. Let's drop it-it's killing the vibe," I said, downing my drink.

Chapter 183

25 BONUS

The red wine was rich and smooth, with a hint of bitterness, warming me from the inside out.

1 could usually handle my alcohol, but after a few glasses, I started feeling a little tipsy.

In the end, Lena had to practically drag me out of there. She offered to take me back to her place, but I waved her off.

"I wanna go to my own place," I mumbled.

Lena shot me a knowing grin. "Oh, really? Got something on your mind? Hoping to bump into Hayden, your cute neighbor?"

I smiled, nodding. "Yeah, I just wonder if that jerk's even home tonight."

When Lena dropped me off, Hayden's door was shut tight. I knocked, calling out, "Hayden, open up! Don't avoid me-I know you're in there."

"He's probably not home," Lena said after a few seconds of silence.

"He's home, he's just ignoring me. What, just because I kissed him and didn't follow up, now he's holding a grudge?" I complained.

Lena's eyes lit up. "You kissed him? You made the first move? You totally pulled a sneak attack, didn't you?"

"I didn't sneak attack him. I just kissed him once. If we'd actually slept together, I wouldn't be mad at him acting like this," I said, shaking my head. "He's no fun. Can't even handle a little teasing." Lena looked shocked. "Wait, are you really into Hayden?"

"Yeah," I admitted, hiccuping from the wine, feeling bold. "I've been dying to pull off his tank top, check out his pecs, and feel up those abs. And then maybe...

Before I could finish, the door swung open.

Hayden stood there, towel-drying his wet hair, staring right at me.

Chapter 184

Social suicide, right on the spot!

This was the second time. First, I walked in on Hayden fresh out of the shower, and now I'd just fantasized about him-out loud-right in front of him.

I couldn't help but wonder if he did this on purpose. I'd been knocking forever, so why open the door now?

The only way to save face? Act drunk, then pretend to black out. That way, I wouldn't be the one embarrassed-everyone else would be.

"Lena, look! He is home, huh?" I said, trying to sound casual, pointing right at Hayden like I hadn't just verbally undressed him.

Lena's lips twitched. She was clearly suffering from secondhand embarrassment. "She's had a little too much to drink," she said.

"I'm not drunk," I chimed in, fully committing to the act

After all, a drunk person never admits they're drunk.

Lena pinched my waist lightly. "Oh, right, of course. You only had one glass of wine. No way you're drunk, huh?"

I was completely at a loss for words.

Is this what betrayal feels like? My ride-or-die, my trusted BFF, throwing me under the bus without hesitation. Right in front of my face!

I couldn't even look at Hayden, but he kept his gaze fixed on me. "So, what did you need?" he asked.

"N-Nothing. I don't need anything." I stammered, already turning around and pushing Lena toward my door,

"I need to talk to you," Hayden's voice called out from behind me.

I wanted to bash my head against Lena's back and vanish. "I'm dizzy. Whatever it is, let's talk tomorrow," I mumbled, practically diving into my apartment before he could respond.

As soon as the door slammed shut, Lena burst into laughter. "Look at you, chickening out."

I shot her the fiercest glare-full-on, red-faced glaring while she just kept laughing, totally unbothered. "If you've got feelings for him, you've gotta have the guts to go for it. Just break the ice already. Once those doors open and you two end up in bed, Mr. Johnston or any other CEO won't stand a chance."

I shoved her, mortified. "Get out! We're done! I'm never speaking to you again."

"If you and Hayden ever hit the sheets, don't forget to send me a thank-you gift."

Lena was serious about trying to set me up with Hayden.

She left, but my face still felt like it was on fire. I sat there, half-listening for any sound from Hayden's place, praying he wouldn't knock on my door.

The truth was, I had actually come home to talk to him about the thugs who had comered him earlier today and what he'd found out about his dad's accident. But now?

Chapter 184

How could face him after what I just said?

I

I eventually passed out on the couch, stuck between the embarrassment, anxiety, and a mess of dreams.

When I woke up, it was stupid early-like five in the morning-and I heard a door open across the hall.

Hayden was up, but I didn't know if he was leaving or just going for a run.

Curious, I peeked out the window and saw him biking away, a backpack slung over his shoulder.

Did he seriously bike everywhere? How had I never noticed that before?

At least with him gone, I could finally breathe. No risk of awkward run-ins and reliving last night's disaster.

At OceanixCorp, I'd just finished some work and was about to dive into figuring out who our elusive boss was when Lena called.

Still annoyed about how she sold me out last night, I answered through gritted teeth. "Dr. Lane-"

Before I could get another word in, Lena cut me off. "Rea, Tanya's here. For an abortion. What the hell is going on?"

I tensed, all the morning fog clearing in an instant. My mind raced back to our conversation at the café. Did she go through with it?" I asked.

Chapter 185 "Not yet, but she's scheduled it. Let me check the time, Lena said, pausing for a second. "It's set for eleven."

I glanced at the clock. It was already ten.

"Did she say why?" I asked.

*Nope, just said she didn't want it anymore. She signed the papers herself. The fetus is over three months along, so it's not just a quick procedure-it's a termination," Lena explained.

Even though I've never been a mom, hearing that made my chest tighten. "Stall it for now. I'll reach out to Jace."

""You sure "You sure you want to get involved?" Lena asked.

I hesitated. "I saw her yesterday, and now she's doing this. If I don't tell Jace, he'll never forgive me. And besides..."

This baby was the last piece of Desmond's bloodline.

I hung up with Lena and immediately dialed Jace.

He didn't pick up at first. Not surprising, considering I'd shut him down recently. I figured he wouldn't want to talk to me at all.

Just as I was about to hang up and try calling from a different number, Jace finally answered, his voice icy. "Yes?"

Tanya's getting an abortion. She's at Lena's hospital," I cut to the chase.

"What?" His voice shook.

"The procedure's in an hour. You can still make it if you go now," I said, then hung up before he could say anything else. Even though I'd told him, something still didn't sit right with me. So, I headed to the hospital myself. When I pulled into the lot, I saw Jace sprinting from his car, heading straight for the maternity ward.

He looked panicked.

I quickly got out and rushed over, but before I could reach the ward, Lena appeared and grabbed my arm. "Did he stop it?" I asked.

Lena didn't answer right away. Instead, she pulled me aside, her expression serious. "There's some drama going down. You'll want to hear this." She dragged me to the stairwell, and from there, we could hear Tanya and Jace's voices echoing through the hall, locked in a heated argument. "Why are you getting rid of the baby? This is Desmond's only bloodline left. Who said you could do this?" Jace's voice was low, practically a growl. Chapter 185- "Why?" Tanya fired back, her tone sharp, nothing like the sweet voice she usually had. "Because I want to be with you."

0:00 A heavy silence followed. Jace didn't say a word.

Tanya's voice dropped, turning softer. "Jace, if I keep this baby, your family's never gonna accept me. Desmond's parents don't want it either. So why should I?" "But if you go through with it, Desmond's bloodline is gone," Jace's voice shook.

"And if I keep the baby, I can't be with you. What do you want me to do?" Tanya asked.

In that moment, it hit me how true it was-people are selfish, always looking out for themselves first.

"If you get rid of the baby, does that mean we'll be together?" Jace countered.

The stairwell door was cracked open, and I could see Tanya reaching for Jace's sleeve. But he pulled away. "Tanya, you know who I really want."

"But you and Keira are over," Tanya said, her voice cracking, on the edge of tears.

"Keira and I might be done, but that doesn't mean there's a future for us either." Jace's words hit hard, and Tanya's face fell apart.

Her lips trembled as she whispered, "If you don't want me, then what am I supposed to do?"

"Tanya, I've told you-I'll make sure you're taken care of, financially and all that. But I can't give you- Jace started, but Tanya cut him off.

Shaking her head, she said, "What about a man? I need someone who loves me, someone to hold me at night. Are you gonna give me that too?" Jace's face went stiff, and he stayed quiet.

"Jace, if you hadn't kissed me, Desmond wouldn't have seen, and he wouldn't have driven off and crashed. Now, I'm left with nothing. No Desmond, no support, nothing. You ruined my happiness, so you're the one who has to fix it." I froze, completely shocked.

So... Desmond's death was because of Jace.

That was why Jace had been looking after her this whole time

Chapter 186 I didn't catch anything Jace said after that. What I'd just found out hit me like a truck.

All the questions I'd had were finally answered, but I never saw this coming.

Desmond had been someone I knew pretty well-thin, always smiling, the kind of guy who'd look out for everyone. I never imagined his death was because he couldn't deal with his wife hooking up with Jace. No wonder Jace was a total wreck after Desmond died... because it was his fault.

Suddenly, everything made sense-why Desmond's parents treated Tanya like dirt, why they didn't want anything to do with the baby she was carrying. They probably didn't even think it was Desmond's kid. I wasn't even that mad at Jace for cheating on me before, but now, standing here, I realized just how low he'd really gone. He was the reason his so-called best friend was dead.

Lena must've seen the change in my face, because she pulled me aside.

Once we were in her break room, I just sank into a chair, totally silent for what felt like forever.

I hadn't been super close to Desmond, but thinking about how desperate he must've been in those last moments made my skin crawl. It was like I could feel the weight of everything crushing him. "Jace is... unforgivable," Lena spat, her voice tight with anger. "And now Tanya's got him wrapped around her little finger. Even if he doesn't want her, he probably feels like he owes her.

"And honestly? He deserves it. And Tanya... blaming Jace now, like she didn't send him signals? Please. If she hadn't led him on, none of this would've happened, "It takes two to tango, and now she's pinning everything on him. And the worst part? She's ready to throw Desmond's only kid under the bus just to wiggle her way into the Johnston family. "She's disgusting.

Lena's words were sharp, filled with rage, but I just sat there, picking at my fingernails, barely hearing her. Finally, in a quiet voice, I murmured, "Lena, try to save the baby."

I knew I had no right to tell Tanya what to do, but this wasn't about her anymore. This was for Desmond. She owed him that much.

Lena gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I get it, but even if we stop her now, she could still go somewhere else later, if that's really what she wants."

She paused, her voice softening. "Tanya's focused on marrying Jace. As long as that's her plan, she's not keeping the baby. And honestly? Even if she did, what kind of life would that kid have, caught up in all this? A quote popped into my head: 'No one has the right to decide someone else's life' Yes, I had no right.

But the baby growing inside Tanya was already a life-and it was Desmond's legacy. If it was gone, Desmond would be completely erased from this world A wave of helplessness and sorrow hit me hard.

Chapter 186 This hurt even more than when I first found out about Jace and Tanya.

"If Jace has even a shred of conscience left, he won't let her go through with it," Lena said, fully understanding how much the baby meant.

I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly. "Let's hope he's got some conscience left."

As I sat there in Lena's break room, trying to make sense of everything, my phone buzzed. Jace's name flashed across the screen. I answered, and before I could say a word, he started talking.

"Can you ask Lena to hold off on the procedure? Don't let Tanya go through with it."

For once, he actually sounded like a decent human being.

I repeated what Lena had said earlier. "Jace, Tanya's been using the baby to keep you close, and now she's ready to get rid of it just to be with you. Whether the baby stays or goes? That's not up to Lena-it's up to you." Jace froze for a second. "You knew?"

"Tanya came to me. She asked if Matthew and Lindey would accept the baby," I said, not bothering to hide the truth.

Jace stayed quiet. He probably knew exactly how I'd answered.

After what felt like forever, he hung up, and I left the hospital.

When I got to Steve's pool hall, he greeted me with a grin. "Wanna shoot some pool?"

"Do you know where Desmond's grave is?" I asked,

Chapter 187 Steve's smile instantly froze. He looked at me, thrown off. "Why are you asking about that?"

"I just want to visit," I said.

He studied me for a moment, a mix of confusion and concern in his eyes.

was sure Steve had I didn't explain further or mention that Jace had been involved in Desmond's death. I was no idea if he did, he would've cut Jace off a long time ago. "Did something happen?" Steve asked, his voice tinged with worry.

I didn't answer directly. "Just take me there."

Seeing that I wasn't going to explain more, Steve sighed and nodded. He agreed to take me to Desmond's grave, though I could tell he was still wary.

When we got to the cemetery, we saw Desmond's parents standing by his grave. Even from a distance, we could hear his mom's heart-wrenching sobs, mixed with angry curses.

I couldn't make out who she was cursing, but I could guess-Tanya.

It didn't feel right to approach them, so Steve and I hung back, waiting until they left.

As they walked past us, Desmond's dad had his arm wrapped around his frail wife. They looked pale, completely broken.

She was still crying softly, her sobs hitting me like a punch to the gut.

They didn't even notice us-like their whole world had crumbled, and all that was left was their grief over losing their son.

Steve watched them go and sighed. "Desmond left them to suffer so much."

His words stung, and I couldn't hold back. "Don't blame Desmond."

How could anyone think Desmond wanted his parents to go through this? He hadn't chosen to die-he'd been crushed by the betrayal, by the weight of it all. That's what led to the accident. ""Hm?" Steve looked at me, confused.

I didn't explain. Instead, I gripped the flowers in my hand and walked up the path toward Desmond's grave.

The picture on his tombstone showed him smiling like he always had-bright, carefree, the kind of smile that lit up everything around him.

But behind that smile had been a pain no one should have to carry. The kind of betrayal that shatters a person. I could almost picture the moment when everything he thought he knew came crashing down. "Desmond, how you doing over there?" Steve called out "Got any pool tables where you're at? Still getting a few games in?"

1 stayed silent, unable to find the right words. Nothing I could say would make sense..

Steve rambled for a bit, glancing at me when he noticed I wasn't speaking. To fill the silence, he turned Chapter 187 back to the tombstone and said, "Before you left, you kept asking when you could come to Keira and Jace's wedding. Well, no need to ask anymore. It's not happening. They broke up." When he finished, the quiet settled in again.

I just stood there, staring at Desmond's grave, feeling the weight of everything.

As I kept looking, something weird happened. The bright smile in Desmond's photo seemed to shift-first into sadness, then anger. A deep, burning anger that felt almost alive.

My heart clenched, and before I even realized what I was doing. I reached out toward the grave. Steve grabbed my arm, voice filled with concern. "Keira, what's wrong? You okay? Are you dizzy?" ""Huh?" I turned to him.

"Your face went pale," he said. "You swayed, like you were about to pass out."

Did I? I hadn't even noticed.

Seeing I wasn't feeling well, Steve decided it was time to go. As we left, he said, "You probably shouldn't come to places like this too often. Cemeteries have this heavy vibe, and it could really mess with your head, especially if you're already feeling off." I said nothing.

Whether something was messing with my head, I wasn't sure. But I definitely felt off. On the way home, I texted Ron, letting him know I'd be taking the rest of the day off.

I crashed hard, sleeping longer than usual, and by the time I woke up, the sky was already dark.

Still half-asleep, I heard a faint sound by the door. Groggy, I got out of bed and made my way over, opening the door.

To my surprise, someone was standing there.

Chapter 188

It was Hayden,

He was unlocking his door, holding a bag of vegetables in one hand. My sudden movement must've startled him, because he turned around, his eyes narrowing slightly.

I just stood there, staring at him like I was having some kind of out-of-body experience. I didn't say a word -just watched him, completely zoned out.

It wasn't until Hayden asked, "What's up?" that I snapped back to reality. I shook my head, still not fully awake.

"Are you sick?" he asked, setting the bag down and stepping closer.

I couldn't get my mouth to work, so I just shook my head again, even though I wasn't sure what I was feeling.

Then, out of nowhere, I felt something cool against my forehead-Hayden's hand. His voice sharpened with concern. "You're burning up."

I was still in a daze, barely registering that he was talking about me.

Hayden seemed to pick up on my confusion. Before I could process what was happening, he stepped inside my apartment and scooped me up into his arms. My already light-headed body felt even lighter in his grip, and without thinking, I reached out and clung to him. He carried me over to the couch, then glanced around, "Where are your slippers?"

It wasn't until he said that that I realized I'd come to the door barefoot. I hadn't even noticed. I blinked at him, too out of it to respond.

With a soft sigh, Hayden got up and disappeared into my bedroom. A few moments later, he returned with my slippers, gently slipping them onto my feet. "Do you have a thermometer?" he asked.

"I want some water, I mumbled, ignoring the question

Hayden paused, then went to fill a glass. But when he checked the water pitcher, it was empty.

Without a word, he came back, scooped me up again, and carried me out of my apartment.

I didn't ask where he was taking me. Somehow, I just trusted him. It didn't matter where we were going, I knew I was safe in his arms.

Hayden brought me to his place, setting me down gently on his couch. He went straight to the kitchen, put some water on to boil, and returned with a thermometer. Handing it to me, he asked, "Do you know how to use this?"

I hesitated for a second. Sensing that, he placed the thermometer in my hand and, worried I might drop it. gently held my hand in his. "I can't exactly take your temperature for you. Just put it under your arm."

Once he was sure I had a grip on it, he let go. "I'll get you some water, and then we'll give you some medicine. If it doesn't get better, I'm taking you to the hospital."

"Check your temperature first, okay?" he added when I didn't move.

Chapter 188

"Oh," I mumbled, snapping out of it. Without thinking, I tugged down my collar and stuck the thermometer under my arm, totally ignoring the fact that Hayden was right there.

He glanced away fast, waiting until I had it in place before heading to the kitchen. A few minutes later, he came back with a glass of water and a pill.

"Here, take this," he said, handing it over.

I took the pill and water, ready to swallow it like always. But for some reason, I just couldn't. The pill sat on my tongue, starting to dissolve, spreading that gross, bitter taste all over my mouth. I cringed and opened my mouth to spit it out. Hayden was quick. He caught the half-melted pill-and my spit-in his hand, not even flinching.

I froze, totally mortified.

"It's fine. Just sip some water. We'll try the meds later," he said, like it was no big deal.

"You want some candy or something?" he asked when he saw I was still out of it.

I didn't answer, just lowered my head and sipped the water.

He got up and disappeared for a second. When he came back, he had a little clear candy in his hand.

"It's sugar-free," he said, holding it out.

I didn't open my mouth, but a wave of nostalgia hit me.

When I was a kid, my parents always gave me sugar-free candy after medicine. They worried about cavities, so real sweets were rare. But every now and then, they'd hand me one of these and pretend it was some big treat. Something inside me softened. Hayden stood there, patient, waiting for me to

Chapter 189

Since my parents passed away, I had never complained about the bitterness of medicine again. After all, there was no one left to give me sugar-free candies, and I hadn't tasted one since. "It's really sweet," Hayden coaxed, lifting the candy to my lips again, almost teasingly.

I finally opened my mouth. But the moment the candy touched my tongue, tears welled up in my eyes, spilling over before I could stop them.

"Why are you crying?" His hand was on my face, gently wiping the tears away

But the more he asked, the more I felt a tightness in my chest, and the harder it was to hold back the flood of emotions. My tears kept falling, faster than Hayden could wipe them.

In the end, he took the cup from my hands and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "If you hate the medicine that much, we won't take it."

He stepped away, and I buried my face in my hands.

After crying for a bit, I felt lighter, like some of the weight on my chest had lifted. The thermometer under my arm beeped, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I glanced at the number: 100.8°F. Yep, definitely a fever.

Right then, Hayden came back with a towel wrapped around something. "We'll use some ice to bring your fever down. Drink more water too. If it drops, you won't need the meds," he said, gently laying me down on the couch. He placed the ice pack on my forehead, his voice soft. Close your eyes and rest."

I did, but a few moments later, I heard the flick of a lighter and smelled burning alcohol.

Warmth spread across my palm as Hayden rubbed it, and I flinched, but he spoke quietly, "It's an old trick to help with the fever."

I remembered this-my dad used to do it when I was younger-but it always felt a little too hot for comfort.

I stayed still, trusting him as he massaged my left hand, then my right. Just when I thought he was done, his hand moved to my foot.

I jerked it back. "You don't need to do that."

"You were bold enough to say you want to undress me, but now you're scared of me touching your foot?" Hayden teased, catching me off guard.

I wanted to play dead, pretend like I didn't remember anything. But Hayden knew exactly what I'd said, and there was no way he'd let me forget it.

So, I did the only thing I could-stay quiet. Silence felt like my best defense. I shut my eyes again and let him do whatever he wanted.

His hands worked over the soles of my feet, sending shivers through me. It tickled, but in a way that made me feel safe, like all the warmth I'd lost was slowly coming back.

Chapter 189

Something about the way he cared for me today brought me back to when my parents were still around. It felt comforting, but it also made my heart ache. Before I realized it, tears started slipping down my cheeks again. "Rest. I made some pumpkin soup. You can have it when you wake Hayden murmured, his voice soft

up as he stood up to leave.

"Hayden," I called quietly, watching him walk away. "Did we know each other before?"

Everything he did today reminded me of my childhood, like he was channeling the care my parents used to show me.

He paused for a second, and I thought he might answer, but whatever he said was too quiet for me to hear.

Sleep started pulling me under, and in my dreams, I saw my parents again. They were holding my hands, coaxing me to take my medicine, giving me sugar-free candies. My dad was rubbing my hands and feet, just like Hayden had. "Dad, Mom..." I whispered, reaching out for them.

"Kiki, it's time to eat," Hayden's voice cut into my dream.

I didn't want to wake up. I gripped my parents' hands tighter in the dream, pleading. "Don't leave me. Please don't leave me..."

"I won't. I'll always be here for you," Hayden's voice echoed again, pulling me back.

In that moment, I found him so annoying. I just wanted to stay with my parents, but he wouldn't stop interrupting.

"Hayden, go away!" I yelled, still half-asleep, not realizing I'd said it out loud.

When I finally woke up, I was clutching Hayden's hand, my fingers tight around his. His eyes locked on mine, and for a second, I saw something I wasn't expecting-sadness.

 

Chapter 190

When I recalled what I'd said earlier, my breath caught in my throat. I wanted to explain, maybe apologize, but Hayden, still kneeling beside the couch, stood up before I could say anything. "Dinner's ready. Come eat."

As he pulled his hand away, I realized how tightly I'd been gripping him. In my dream, I thought I was holding onto my parents-but it had been Hayden all along. And I'd cursed him, thinking he was the one getting in the way. Awkwardly, I let go. His arm lifted, revealing deep red marks from where I'd squeezed too hard.

Without a word, he turned and walked off. I slowly sat up, feeling sticky and uncomfortable. I'd definitely broken a sweat-probably a sign the fever had finally passed. "Here, put this on. Don't catch another cold," Hayden said, coming back with a blanket.

I reached out to grab it, but my grip was still weak, and I almost dropped it. He ended up draping it over me himself, then handed me a warm, damp cloth to wipe my hands.

For a moment, I felt like a kid again-sick, vulnerable, being cared for the way my parents had when I was little.

"Can you manage eating on your own?" Hayden asked, setting a bowl of fragrant pumpkin soup in front of

1. me.

Was he offering to feed me? If he were my boyfriend, I wouldn't hesitate, but he wasn't. And the embarrassment from my drunken confession last night still lingered.

I nodded, trying to prove it by picking up the spoon, but my hand trembled, the spoon wobbling in my grip.

Hayden gently placed his hand over mine. "Take your time."

"I think I'd rather drink some water first," I said, suddenly aware of how dehydrated I felt after sweating so much.

He must've anticipated that, because he handed me a glass of water without a word. I drank it down in one go, pleasantly surprised to find it was the perfect temperature, with just a hint of honey. I felt a little touched, though "thank you" seemed too small for everything he'd done.

Hayden's dinner spread was simple but perfect: garlic butter shrimp, fried cabbage, lemon honey pork ribs, and cucumber salad. All my favorite dishes.

"Hayden, have you been spying on me?" I asked, unable to resist as I savored another bite.

He glanced at me. "What's there to investigate? Your taste in food?"

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I pressed on anyway. "But everything you've given me, even the candy, feels like something only someone really close to me would know."

Hayden paused mid-bite, his spoon hovering for a second. Then, he casually said, "This is what any good boyfriend would do."

Boyfriend?