Ch. 201..210

Chapter 201 Chapter

201

I decided to take the plunge-entering the last three digits of their birthdays.

It felt too obvious, but Matthew and Lindey always seemed to favor Jace a bit more, so I started with his numbers, then Wayne's.

As I typed in the last digit, my heart felt like it was about to explode. I couldn't even hear anything over the pounding in my chest. Edward was only ten meters away. I didn't dare look at him. I was locked on the screen, praying it would

work.

Suddenly, the "Private" label blinked to life. The password had worked. And right there, the destination popped up: Serenity Retreat.

I knew that place. It was one of the three wellness centers I'd researched. After all that effort, I finally had the answer I needed-those two crucial words.

I quickly reached to close the navigation history just as Edward opened the door.

His eyes immediately flicked to my hand and then to the screen. My hand was trembling, and sweat was starting to trickle down my back.

"Rea, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice tight with suspicion.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm. "Uh, I was just trying to put on some music. I don't really know how this system works," I said, trying to sound casual. Edward narrowed his eyes, clearly not convinced.

It made no sense at all. I'd just told him I felt sick-who tries to listen to music when they're in pain? My lie was ridiculous, but since I'd already said it, I had no choice but to roll with it.

"I was feeling really bad, so I texted one of my doctor friends," I blurted out, trying to sound believable." She said listening to calming music might help me relax. She also mentioned it could be acute gastritis or even appendicitis and suggested I get checked out at a hospital."

The more I talked, the more I felt like a fraud. When did I get so good at lying?

But what choice did I have? I needed to find out the truth behind my dad's death. I had to know if it really was just an accident.

"Oh, I see." Edward handed me the meds he'd bought. "Let's get you to the hospital, then. Don't worry about the music, I'll find something for you."

"Thanks, Edward," I muttered, taking the pills. My heart was still pounding, but I tore open the pack and popped one in, even though I didn't have any water.

Swallowing meds without water was a terrible idea, but it was just an antacid. It wouldn't kill me.

"Here, drink some water," Edward said, pouring from the thermos and handing me a cup. "Why would you take medicine without water?"

I took the cup and gulped it down fast. The pill left a nasty, bitter taste in my mouth, making me wince.

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"You really are in pain. You're sweating like crazy. Going to the hospital is the right call," Edward said, glancing over at me as he quickly started the car.

It wasn't until we pulled up at the hospital that my heart finally stopped racing.

Edward insisted on walking me inside, not wanting to leave me alone in case something happened.

I had no choice but to let him come with me to the emergency room. While we waited, I quickly texted Lena, asking her to bail me out.

Luckily, Lena wasn't in surgery that day and arrived fast. She helped me convince Edward that I was fine and that he didn't need to stick around.

"Edward, I'm okay. Please don't mention this to Matthew or Lindey. I don't want them to worry," I said as he was getting ready to leave.

He nodded, but I knew he'd probably tell them anyway.

Once Edward was gone, Lena shot me a look-like she knew I was hiding something. "Alright, spill it. What's going on?"

There was no point lying, so I told her everything. As I talked, her face got more serious by the second. "Rea, are you sure you wanna go down this road? You might wanna think it over." "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, totally confused.

She stayed quiet for a few seconds.

Then it hit me. "Are you worried this could lead back to Matthew?"

Lena didn't deny it, and my stomach dropped.

If my dad's death was somehow connected to Thorsten Drago, and Thorsten was one of RiverwaveCorp's biggest clients... was Matthew involved?

My mind spiraled. A cold dread settled over me, and suddenly, I couldn't think straight.

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Matthew and Lindey had always been so good to me-so good that even thinking about doubting them made me feel guilty.

But now, even Lena was starting to suspect something,

It felt like my heart was free-falling from the sky, crashing into a pit of panic I couldn't escape.

"I need to find out the truth."

The more uncertain things got, the more desperate I was to know. Not just for my dad, but to clear Matthew's name-if he was innocent.

Lena didn't say much, just gave me a small nod. "Whatever happens, I've got your back."

Her words hit me harder than I expected, like she already knew what I might uncover.

But I couldn't stop until I found the truth.

After leaving the ER, I stepped outside to catch a cab. To my surprise, Edward was still there. He stood a little ways off, clutching the meds he'd bought me, his phone glued to his ear. "... Yeah, she accessed the car's display... said she was just looking for music..."

My entire body went cold, even with the sun beating down on me.

I didn't need to ask who he was talking to. It was obvious-he was reporting this to someone. Probably Matthew or Lindey.

But why? Why did he care about something so small?

If there was nothing to hide in that display, why was he acting like it mattered?

My head was spinning with questions, doubts creeping in. I watched as Edward walked off down the street, my mind running in circles.

I couldn't wait any longer. I flagged down a taxi and told the driver to take me to Serenity Retreat.

If I didn't move fast, I was afraid whatever I was looking for would get erased or hidden before I even got there.

But what I didn't expect was how locked-down the place would be. The moment I arrived, security stopped me at the gate, asking for the name and room number of the person I was visiting. I had a name, but no clue what room he was in.

And there was no way I could casually drop Thorsten Drago's name. If they called to confirm, I'd be busted on the spot.

In the end, I had to lie, saying I was there to ask about the facilities for a family member. The guard shut me down fast, saying the center was reservation-only and didn't allow walk-ins. 1 got the message loud and clear-this wasn't a place you could just waltz into.

High-end wellness centers like this were on a whole different level. I wasn't even worthy of stepping past

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the gates.

As I stood there, trying to think of a way in, two cars rolled up. The windows were down, and I recognized the guy inside immediately.

That shiny bald head-it was Darby, the same guy who led the group that attacked Hayden.

"Here to see Mr. Drago," Darby said to the guard as the cars pulled up.

The guard recognized him right away and lifted the gate without a second thought.

Drago. That surname wasn't exactly common, so I knew the guy Darby was seeing had to be Thorsten Drago.

Darby worked for Thorsten. And if Darby had gone after Hayden, that meant Hayden was digging into Thorsten, too. Could Thorsten be connected to Hayden's dad's death as well?

It was all starting to feel like more than just a coincidence.

I didn't get to see Thorsten myself, but spotting Darby told me enough.

Leaving Serenity Retreat, I headed straight home. On the way, my phone buzzed with a call from Lindey.

"Rea, Edward told me you weren't feeling well. How are you now?" Lindey's voice was raspy, and I immediately thought of how she looked when I left-how shaken she'd been after seeing Matthew's hair turn gray. She must've cried since then. Guilt stabbed at my chest.

I was a mess inside, torn between doubt and loyalty. I didn't want to suspect them, but my mind kept wandering to dark places.

Still, I forced those thoughts down as I replied, "I'm fine, Lindey. Just a stomach thing. I took some meds, and I'm feeling better now."

"That's good to hear. Matthew and I were really worried. We almost came to the hospital to check on you," she said.

That made the guilt hit even harder. They were going through so much, yet they were still worried about

1. me.

"I'm really okay. Please, just focus on Matthew and yourself. And maybe try to comfort him a little more..." I said, the image of his gray hair still haunting me. She let out a heavy sigh.

J didn't know what else to say. The conversation drifted into a long, uncomfortable silence.

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Chapter

203

The silence between Lindey and me was suffocating.

I was just about to come up with an excuse to end the call when Lindey's voice cut through, trembling with anger. "Matthew's like this because of that bitch. For that alone, I'll never forgive her."

She was practically spitting the words out. I had never heard Lindey sound so vicious before. It sent a chill down my spine, leaving me completely speechless.

"Rea," she said, "when you can, visit Matthew more often. You're the only one who can give him some peace."

Her words weighed heavy on me, but I agreed.

64

After the call ended, I leaned back in my car seat, feeling completely drained, like something was crushing my chest, making it hard to breathe.

When I got home, I curled up on the couch, my mind racing, trying to piece everything together. Everything pointed to Thorsten. But the connection between him and Matthew-their business ties-and the fact that Thorsten's location was password-protected? That just made things feel even more suspicious.

If there was nothing to hide, why go to such lengths to keep it secret?

The more I thought about it, the more my mind spun, and the fear of facing the truth only grew. I couldn't stop overthinking it until my head started pounding.

I grabbed a pillow, burying my face in it, trying to drown out the chaos in my mind. It was my go-to when things got too overwhelming.

Just as I was on the verge of cutting off my own air, I heard a knock at the door.

At first, I thought I imagined it. Then I heard my name.

www

I pulled the pillow away, my heart racing as I cautiously made my way to the door. Even in broad daylight, there was always a chance of danger. Before unlocking it, I called out, "Who is it?" "It's me, Hayden."

Hearing his voice stopped me in my tracks. What was Hayden doing here? Did something happen?

I opened the door, and there he was, looking effortlessly handsome in a black t-shirt and cargo pants- practical, yet somehow still striking.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, still a little stunned

Without a word, Hayden stepped forward and placed his hand on my forehead. The warmth of his palm against my skin brought an unexpected sense of calm,

"No fever," he said, lowering his hand and lifting a grocery bag filled with fresh ingredients. The crisp Jeaves peeked out, and I could tell he'd just bought them.

"For lunch, I'm making creamy risotto. Side dish: boiled spinach and chicken breast. How's that sound?" he asked, like a caring husband checking in on his wife Chapter 203

I started to protest, "No, don't worry about it, it's too much trouble. I'll just order foo-"

Hayden cut me off. "You can't eat anything greasy right now."

Somehow, he was already inside.

By the time I snapped out of my daze, he was moving around the kitchen like he belonged there, prepping ingredients with quiet efficiency.

He'd already done me so many favors, there was no point in pretending I didn't need the help. I leaned against the doorway, sipping my water as I watched him tie on an apron and get to work. "You've got time to come over today? Is the amusement park project done?" I asked, trying to fill the silence.

"Almost," Hayden replied, his knife slicing through the vegetables with practiced ease. The sound of the blade hitting the cutting board made it clear-he knew his way around a kitchen.

"Let me know when it's all finished," I reminded him.

"Yeah," Hayden said, still focused on the vegetables.

I took another sip of water, my eyes tracing over him from head to toe. I had to admit, Hayden was the kind of guy who looked good from every angle-front, back, and somehow even better from behind. His narrow waist and broad shoulders? Let's just say it was way too easy to let my mind wander to places it shouldn't.

To stop myself from thinking things I definitely shouldn't be, I focused on the little mole at the back of his neck. "Hayden, we didn't talk today, did we?" "No."

I bit.my lip, curious now. "Then how did you know I'd be home?"

It was something that had been bugging me since he showed up. I hadn't told him I'd be home, and I

hadn't mentioned it to anyone else either. Yet, here he was at my door, groceries in hand, like he knew exactly where I'd be.

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"I don't know!" Hayden answered briskly.

I laughed. "You don't know, but you showed up at my door anyway?"

He finished chopping and tossed the veggies onto a plate. "The old lady downstairs told me. She was like, 'Your girlfriend's back.""

I froze for a second, caught off guard.

Sipping my tea, I watched Hayden work with quiet admiration.

Suddenly, he turned and caught me staring. "What? Why are you giving me that look?"

I smiled lightly. "Just wondering if you're stalking me."

His eyebrows shot up. "What?"

"I'm kidding, chill. I know you've got better things to do," I teased, wandering back into the living room.

After a few more sips of tea, I set my cup down and started scrolling through my phone. Before I knew it, my eyes started getting heavy. I fell asleep fast.

Then the nightmare hit. Darby grabbed me, and Thorsten Drago was there, telling him to kill me. A knife flashed, and I thrashed, trying to escape... "Kiki! Kiki, wake up..."

I jerked awake, my heart pounding, breath shaky. Hayden was leaning over me, his hand on my shoulder. "Bad dream?" His voice was low.

I couldn't shake the terror, and before I knew it, I grabbed his hand tight. "It was Darby. The guy who cornered you with his gang. He's working with Thorsten Drago. I saw him." Hayden's frown deepened. "How do you know that?"

"I... I saw him," I whispered, still gripping his hand before slowly letting go.

"This is my fight, not yours. Stay out of it. Got it?" His voice was serious, a bit too sharp.

I wanted to tell him I wasn't trying to get in the way, that I just wanted answers about my dad. Running into Darby had been a total accident, but I didn't get the chance.

"Thorsten Drago is dangerous. You can't mess around with this. Promise me you won't do anything stupid. Understand?" The edge in his voice made it clear he wasn't joking,

I nodded, but the words I wanted to say stayed stuck in my throat.

Hayden wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of his hand. "Go drink some water. Lunch is almost ready."

He started to leave, but I grabbed his hand. "Hayden... just, be careful."

I knew exactly how dangerous Thorsten Drago was. He was one of Riverwave Corp's biggest clients, but the rumors were dark-shady deals, people disappearing, and the lengths he'd go to protect his empire.

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Sometimes, girls put in effort to look good for someone they care about. At that moment, I realized I cared about Hayden.

After washing my hands, I stepped out of the bathroom. Sure enough, Hayden came over, ready to help.

I brushed it off, trying to seem chill. "I'm good."

He didn't push, just followed me to the table. Along with the risotto, spinach, and chicken breast he'd mentioned, there were a few more sides and a fruit platter that made the whole spread look even more tempting. "Your sister must be really lucky," I said. It was my way of acknowledging his effort.

He didn't respond, and I remembered his sister's heart condition. A random thought popped into my head. "Where's your family from? Where does your sister live?" Hayden glanced at me, staying quiet.

I grinned, biting my spoon. "What, are you afraid I'm gonna hunt her down?"

"Pencetown. It's near Chiverton," he finally answered, offering more than I expected.

I nodded. "I got some unexpected time off. My boss decided I needed a break."

"Oh." His tone was flat.

Hayden was ridiculously calm-I'd rarely seen him show much emotion.

Made sense, though. Military guys were always a little different from the rest of us.

As I thought about my sudden break, I started musing aloud. "Why do you think my boss is being so nice to me? I've barely started, and I haven't done anything special."

That led me to remember how Jace, using a fake identity, tried to land a business deal, only to get shut down by the mysterious big boss.

Honestly, if my boss hadn't stepped in, I might've taken the deal. Jace's company had potential, even if he was trying to hide it. There was money to be made, but my boss walked away, which still puzzled me. "Hmm?" Hayden's usual one-word response.

I leaned in a little, dropping my voice like I was sharing a secret. "You think my boss is into me? I mean, it'd explain all the extra perks."

Hayden paused, taking a bite of risotto before answering. "It's possible."

I blinked, playing it off. "Hmm?" Acting all innocent.

His gaze didn't waver, steady and serious. "You have the potential to attract that kind of attention."

I laughed. Was that his idea of a compliment?

"So, does that mean you're into me because of my... 'potential' too?" I teased.

His jaw tightened briefly. "It's part of it, but not the whole reason."

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"Oh? What else? We barely know each other." I recalled how he'd said he wanted to marry me back in Chiverton, when we were practically strangers.

He just looked at me, didn't say anything, then glanced at my bowl. "Not finishing?"

There were a few bites left, and I wasn't one to waste food, especially when it tasted this good.

"No," I mumbled, quickly scooping up another spoonful.

Hayden stood up, taking his plate and cutlery with him.

He clearly wasn't in the mood to keep talking. I noticed he only grabbed his own stuff, leaving everything else on the table,

"You're not gonna eat more? Might as well clear everything. And make sure to clean up. I hate mess," I said, half-joking but serious enough. He just grunted and headed to the kitchen.

I finished my meal and followed with my plate. When I handed it to him, I said, "You should take the leftovers. I'm going away for a few days." He paused for barely a second before saying, "Okay."

That one word, delivered so efficiently, left a weird feeling in my chest-like something heavy I couldn't shake off.

I felt uneasy, maybe a little annoyed. As I turned to leave, I muttered, "Make sure you lock up when you go, not bothering to wait for an answer. Back in my room, I grabbed my phone, opened the travel app, and booked a long trip.

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That evening, I left home. Hayden wasn't around-his windows were completely dark.

By the time Wayne called, I was already at the train station, sitting in the waiting room.

I decided against flying. Took the high-speed rail instead. Sure, it was a couple hours longer, but I liked the idea of staying grounded. It felt safer.

"Rea, your car's fixed. Where are you? I can drop it off," Wayne's voice came through, warm as always.

I glanced around the station-people were either glued to their phones or zoned out. "Just leave it at the shop. I'll pick it up later."

There was a pause. I could feel his concern before he spoke again. "The mechanic said your car was tampered with."

My stomach dropped, even though I knew it already-it was me who arranged the whole thing.

"Seriously?" I faked surprise.

"Has anyone else driven it recently?" Wayne asked, sounding more worried now..

I bit my lip, trying to think fast, but Wayne jumped in before I could. "Whoever did it wasn't trying to hurt you. They just wanted to mess with you a bit. Lucky it broke down at home. Could've been worse if it happened on the road." That let me off the hook. "Got it."

There was another pause before he asked, "Are you out somewhere? Sounds kinda noisy."

"Yeah," I said, keeping it vague.

He picked up on the hint. "Take care, Rea."

And just like that, he hung up. I let out a long breath.

Lately, I'd been seeing all these videos about simplifying life, and one thing really stuck with me: cutting out unnecessary social obligations. Now I got it.

Sometimes, people caring about you can feel like a heavy weight. The more they care, the harder it is to breathe.

Still, I shot Lena a text letting her know I was heading out of town.

As expected, the busy doctor didn't respond. And for the first time, I kind of understood why Lena never bothered with dating.

I remembered her once saying no one would want to date someone who barely had time to answer a text. Even if something did start, it wouldn't last. You can't build a relationship on scraps of attention. Love needs time to grow. Back then, I teased her for being like an ostrich, hiding from life. But now, I kind of saw her point. Why start something if it's just going to end anyway?

Chapter 206

I took the last train out to Chiverton. My real destination was Pencetown, this tiny spot just outside Chiverton where Hayden's sister lived.

It wasn't a planned trip-more of a spur-of-the-moment thing. I wanted to learn more about Hayden, figure him out a little better.

Yeah, I had feelings for him. But I'd been burned before, and I wasn't about to dive in headfirst without knowing what I was getting into. This time, I wanted control.

By the time I got to Chiverton, it was crazy late. Instead of crashing at Macy's place-where she'd definitely insist on hosting me-I checked into a hotel and knocked out.

The next morning, around ten, I finally headed to Pencetown. It didn't take long to find Hayden's house.

As soon as I saw it, I regretted not coming sooner.

I regretted not knowing this place existed.

The courtyard was straight out of a Pinterest dream-trees, flowers, a grapevine, and even a swing. The house itself was this cozy gray-brick cottage with blue-tiled roofs and a veranda lined with string lights swaying in the breeze. It was like stepping into another world. And right across from the courtyard was this huge river with an old stone bridge stretching across it.

If I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't have believed a place like this even existed. It was like a scene from a fairytale.

Too perfect to be real.

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207

This place was seriously a hidden gem, like the perfect spot for a low-key getaway.

I was zoned out, taking in the courtyard's beauty, when a soft voice snapped me back. "Um, miss, are you looking for someone?"

I turned to see a girl, probably around my age, standing there in a simple white dress. Her long braid draped over her shoulder, and her eyes? They sparkled like the place itself. "You're Miss Hart, right?" I asked, already knowing I was right.

She looked surprised. "Yeah, that's me. Are you here to see... my brother?"

Yep, definitely Hayden's sister. She didn't exactly look like him, but they both had that annoyingly good-looking thing going on.

While Hayden had this rugged, tough vibe, Yuna's was softer-like she was made of sunshine and fresh air. "Yeah, I'm a friend of Hayden's," I said with a smile, reaching out my hand.

*

Yuna hesitated for a sec, like she wasn't expecting me, but then shook my hand with both of hers, all polite. "I'm Yuna Hart."

She seemed a little thrown off, which made me grin.

"I'm Keira. Mind if I come in?"

>

Realizing she still had me standing at the gate, Yuna let go of my hand and stepped aside quickly. "Oh, of course! Sorry, I wasn't expecting anyone. The place is kind of a mess." 1 leaned in a little, lowering my voice. "Your brother doesn't know I'm here. I came in secret."

Her eyes went wide. "Really?"

I winked. "Don't tell him, okay?"

Yuna paused for a second, then smiled like we were in on some kind of fun secret. I glanced around the courtyard again-it was even more stunning the longer I looked. "Please, have a seat. I'll make you some flower tea," she offered, sounding all sweet and genuine.

Thinking of her heart condition, I waved it off. "Oh, you don't have to. I'm not really thirsty."

But Yuna just smiled and headed inside anyway. A minute later, she came back with a teapot and some dried flowers, carefully brewing the tea right in front of me.

The teapot looked brand new-like one of those fancy, sleek ones that had just come out this year. I smirked. "Did your brother get this for you?"

"Yeah, he spoils me. Wants me to have the best of everything," Yuna said, her face glowing with pride. As she brewed the tea, her eyes wandered over the courtyard. "He built this house for me, too. Said living here would be good for my health." I blinked, a little stunned. Building a house? That wasn't a small thing. Hayden must really care about her.

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Yuna held up a glass bottle filled with water. "See this? I collect dew from the garden and use it to make tea. My brother says it makes the best tea."

I touched the bottle-it was cool. Her whole vibe just screamed effort and care. I mean, collecting dew for tea? That took serious patience. And here she was, making it for me, someone she barely knew. I couldn't help but like her instantly. "Yuna, you're seriously too sweet," I said.

She smiled shyly. "You're so pretty."

I laughed. "Look who's talking. You look like you stepped right out of some enchanted forest."

She blushed, clearly flustered. After a beat, her eyes lit up. "Keira, are you my brother's girlfriend?"

I could see the hope in her eyes. She was totally gonna be disappointed if I said no.

Before I could answer, she added, "You have to be! You're the first girl he's ever mentioned. If his girlfriend, he wouldn't have told you where I live."

you

weren't

Her words caught me off guard. Was this all part of some plan of Hayden's? Did he expect me to end up here?

Weirdly enough, I didn't mind. In fact, I felt... happy. Happy I met Yuna, happy I found this place.

"Yeah, I guess I am," I said, grinning. "Does that make you happy?"

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"Thanks for loving my brother, for accepting him!"

Yuna's voice was soft but full of emotion as she handed me the tea with this careful, almost formal gesture. Her eyes shimmered like she was holding back tears.

My chest tightened a bit, but I still grinned. "You act like Hayden's unlovable or something."

Yuna gave a little pout, and I took the tea from her, sipping it. The taste hit me-sweet, light, and almost magical. Way better than anything I'd had before.

"Keira, Hayden doesn't look for girlfriends because of me," Yuna said, her voice quieter now. "He's scared that whoever he marries might not like me... might hate me for being sick."

I could tell she hesitated, unsure if Hayden had even told me. She was probably worried that knowing about her illness might change how I saw him-like it'd be too much baggage or something.

I took another sip, letting the warmth settle inside me. Do I seem like the kind of person who'd judge someone for being sick? Especially someone as sweet as you?"

That got her to smile, and I saw her relax, just a little.

But she wasn't done. "Did Hayden tell you about my condition?"

I nodded. "Yeah, of course. Why do you think I came all the way out here? I wanted to meet you, and then..." I looked around the peaceful garden and shook my head with a laugh. Yuna blinked, her eyes wide with curiosity. "And then what?"

I could tell she was sensitive when it came to anything involving Hayden, so I decided to keep it real." Then I thought about bringing you back with me. But now, after seeing this place, I'm not sure that'd be fair."

This garden, this quiet life-it was perfect for her. It wasn't just a home; it was like a peaceful escape from everything. My place? It didn't come close to offering this kind of serenity.

Now, I understood why Hayden left her here. This wasn't just a house; it was where she could actually heal.

"If you want me to come, I'll go," Yuna said, completely serious. Her words caught me off guard.

I stared at her, not expecting that. "You'd really leave?"

She didn't answer right away. Instead, she picked up her cup and took a few slow sips, lost in thought.

Watching her, I realized she was torn. This place was beautiful and safe, but something inside her wanted

more.

Maybe we're all like that, balancing between the comfort of what we know and the pull of the unknown. It's not about being greedy; it's just human. We all want to see what's out there, beyond the borders of our comfort zones. For Yuna, her illness had kept her here. To me, this life looked peaceful, but to her, it might feel more like a cage.

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"I want to get better," she said softly, breaking the silence. "I don't want Hayden to keep worrying about me."

Now that she brought up her illness, I figured it was time to ask. "Has Hayden tried getting you treatment?"

I remembered Hayden's deal with me-the one where he'd promised to do anything if I helped pay for her medical care.

"He has. But the doctors all say I need a heart transplant," Yuna said, biting her lip. "It's risky, and my blood type's rare. Hayden doesn't want to take the chance."

My hand tightened around the tea cup. I wasn't expecting that. Hayden was holding off on the surgery because he was terrified of what could go wrong.

He was scared to death of losing her.

Without the surgery, Yuna would be stuck in this fragile balance, always at risk. But she'd be alive, here with him every day, a reminder of his love and care.

If they went through with it, she might finally get to live the way she wanted-healthy, free. But there was that awful possibility that it could all go south, and he'd lose her for good. The thought of Hayden losing Yuna hit me hard, like a sudden punch in the chest.

"He's just scared you might not make it through," I said, echoing what I knew must be running through his head.

Yuna nodded. "I know. But I want to be healthy. I don't want Hayden to worry about me every single day."

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Chapter 209

Yuna looked at me with bright, hopeful eyes. "Keira, do you have a plan?"

I hesitated.

There were options, sure, but could I really take a chance even Hayden wasn't willing to? If the surgery worked, everything would be great.

But if it didn't... the thought of Hayden never forgiving me was the least of my worries. The real fear was breaking his heart in a way that couldn't be fixed.

Yuna must've picked up on my hesitation because her face fell. "You don't have a way, do you? Hayden's too scared to try 'cause it's too risky. I get it. No one can be sure it'll work with how bad things are for me." She sighed, but then gave me this weak smile, like she was trying to shake off her own sadness.

It wasn't that she was great at hiding her feelings-it's just that she didn't want to drag me down with her. "It's fine. I'm happy with my life as it is. However long I live, I'm gonna make the most of it. Who knows? Maybe I'll surprise everyone and live to be a hundred," she joked, though her eyes told a different story. Hearing her say that just made my heart sink even more. The thought of this bright, amazing girl losing hope? I couldn't handle it. I wanted to give her something-anything-to hold on to. "I know a doctor. She studied abroad and is an OB-GYN, but she knows a lot of specialists, including top cardiologists. Maybe they can help."

"Seriously?" Yuna's eyes lit up, that little spark of hope flickering back to life.

"Yeah. I came here to figure things out, see how I can help," I said, realizing I wasn't just trying to comfort her-I was seriously considering helping her get the surgery, no matter how risky.

The hope in her eyes was undeniable. Yuna didn't just want to survive-she wanted to really live. Even with her picture-perfect life, I knew she longed for something more.

She wanted to climb mountains, surf waves, race down open roads with the wind in her hair. Things that seemed impossible for her now.

And yeah, she probably wanted to fall in love, maybe even think about marriage and kids someday. But right now, all of that seemed so far out of reach.

Her life, as beautiful as it looked from the outside, was still a cage.

She wasn't just collecting dew from flowers-she was gathering moments of solitude and longing, all the things she couldn't have. Every little drop was a reminder of what was missing. "Is that really true? Thank you, Keira!" Yuna said, her face glowing. She raised her cup, toasting me with a genuine smile.

"It's true," I said, feeling the weight of responsibility settling in.

My words had given Yuna a sliver of hope, and I could see it in her eyes.

After we finished our tea, Yuna took me inside and showed me to Hayden's room. "Keira, you'll stay in here. Look how well I cleaned it!"

Chapter 209

She wasn't kidding-it was spotless. When I opened the window, I saw a view of flowers and rolling hills that could take your breath away. The room had this cozy, homey vibe to it.

I dropped my bags and started looking around. There were framed photos on the walls, which I hadn't expected.

I mean, I had some family photos back home-ones my parents left behind-but I didn't think Hayden's family would keep this kind of stuff.

Curious, I wandered over to one of the old photos. Yuna came up beside me and said, "Hayden says these are of our parents when they were younger, but I don't remember them that well."

The photos had that same nostalgic vibe as the ones in my house. In one, their mom was holding a baby, and their dad had another kid in his arms. The older one was obviously Hayden, while the baby had to be Yuna. "Hayden told me our dad left not long after this was taken," Yuna said quietly, sadness creeping into her voice.

Hearing that hit me hard. Not wanting to dwell on it, I turned my attention to another picture-this one of a boy carrying a girl on his back, just a shot of their backs.

"Is that Hayden carrying you?" I asked.

Yuna giggled, shaking her head. "Nope, not me. He's carrying his-"

She stopped suddenly, biting her lip like she'd said too much. Then, with a playful smile, she stuck her tongue out, trying to play it off.

It didn't take me long to catch on. I glanced back at the picture and smirked. "Let me guess-his childhood sweetheart?"

Chapter 210

Yuna's face changed completely. She looked panicked and grabbed my hand, shaking her head like crazy.

"Keira, no! It's not like that... Hayden's never liked any other girl. You're the first!"

Seeing her so freaked out, her lips turning pale, I realized I'd probably gone too far. I couldn't scare her like this-her heart wouldn't take it.

I gently tapped her on the nose, trying to lighten the mood. "Relax, okay? I know. Hayden already told me he's never had a girlfriend."

Yuna nodded, still looking a little anxious, and added, "He's never liked any other girl either."

She was so sincere, so pure, like she couldn't even lie if she tried. It made me wonder, 'When she does fall for someone, will she be able to handle it if the guy isn't as honest as she is?'

The world isn't as simple as Yuna. Relationships, with all their messy emotions and complications, might be tough for her to figure out.

I couldn't help but feel a little protective of her, even though I knew I was jumping the gun. We had barely met, but it already felt like she was my little sister.

"Don't worry," I said with a smile. "Hayden's as innocent as they come, and I'll take good care of him."

Yuna's face lit up, and she smiled back, looking relieved.

1

The tension in the room finally eased, but my eyes drifted to a picture on the wall-Hayden carrying some girl on his back. That definitely wasn't Yuna, or she wouldn't have been so nervous. Who was she? A neighbor? A childhood friend? Maybe even an old crush?

For a second, my mind spun out into full-on drama mode, imagining some long-lost first love popping back into Hayden's life like something out of a soap opera. Would she just show up one day, ready to mess up everything I'd built with him? I shook my head, laughing at myself. I was getting way ahead of things.

I turned my attention to another photo, this one of Hayden's dad. Something about his face looked so familiar, but I couldn't place it.

"Is this your dad? Mr. Hart?" I asked, pointing at the picture.

"Yeah, that's my dad," Yuna said. "But his last name wasn't Hart. It was Patterson-like pitter-patter, not Peterson."

Hearing that surname sent a chill down my spine.

The surname of my father's driver was Patterson. I remembered him once telling me the same thing: Patter, like pitter-patter.'

Was this really just a coincidence?

Suddenly, pieces started to click together-Hayden's dad, my father's car accident, and that weird connection to Thorsten. Could Hayden's father be the same Mr. Patterson who used to drive for my family? Chapter 210

A cold shiver ran down my back.

Had Hayden known this whole time? Did he know our families were connected?

"Keira, are you okay? You've gone quiet," Yuna's voice broke through my racing thoughts.

I blinked, trying to pull myself back to reality. I couldn't tell Yuna what was going on in my head-there was no way she knew all this stuff about her dad.

"You're not sick, are you?" Yuna asked, sounding worried.

I forced a smile, even though my heart was still pounding. "No, I'm good. But... why is your last name Har if your dad's was Patterson?"

Yuna giggled softly. "Oh, that's 'cause Hayden, and I took my mom's last name. She was Sienna Hart."

That cleared things up.

If I hadn't come here, I never would've known. I never would've guessed that the same Mr. Patterson who worked for my family was Hayden's father.

But what about Hayden? Did he already know about the connection between our families?

Had he been looking out for me all this time because of some old debt between our parents?

I tried to shake the thoughts, but my mind kept spiraling

"Keira," Yuna's voice cut through again, "Hayden once told me that my parents were really in love. After my dad's accident, my mom couldn't handle it, and she she fell into the river one day."

Her gaze drifted to the big river outside the window, the same river where her mom had died.

My chest tightened. This river, the one I thought was so beautiful, held such a painful memory.

Hayden must've built this house here to stay close to her, to feel connected to the place where she was lost.

"Hayden raised me after that," Yuna continued quietly, and I could finally see why Hayden couldn't bring himself to risk the surgery that could save her.