Ch. 271..280

 

Chapter 271

Hearing that, I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Thank God, Hayden wasn't going to do anything reckless.

"Yeah, could you please see him out? I said, turning away. As I walked off, it hit me-I had no clue what his job was here. But judging by the way he carried himself, he had to be at least some kind of engineer or something.

Brad, totally unbothered by Hayden's presence, kept up with his sleazy act. "Keira, I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend. You're the best gift I could ask for."

Before I could even process his words, Hayden brushed past me and stepped right up to him. "It's time for you to go," he said firmly.

Brad didn't even flinch, just grinned at me like Hayden hadn't said a thing. "Keira, I'll wait for you after work. Let's grab lunch, okay?" smuglo

I froze in my tracks, wanting to knock that smug look off his face.

But before I could do anything. Hayden's voice cut through the air, ice-cold. "Get out."

Brad, still as cocky as ever, sneered, "Who the hell are you? Why should I leave just because you say

Hayden took a step closer, his tone deadly calm. "I'm the one telling you to back off and leave her alone."

I glanced at Hayden. The hard lines of his face were set, an intensity I'd never seen before. It made my stomach flip.

Brad blinked, caught off guard for a moment, then let out a laugh. "What's your deal, old man? Are you senously trying to compete with me for Keira?"

I nearly choked on air. Was this guy out of his mind?

He really had a death wish, calling Hayden out like that.

I shot a worried look at Hayden. Guys probably hated being called old just as much as women did, right?

But Brad, totally ignoring the warning signs, kept going. "Come on, dude, you're almost out of her age bracket. You might have the desire, but do you even have the stamina?" He wiggled his hips suggestively, making it pretty clear what he meant by "stamina." Images of Hayden's stamina last night flashed through my mind, and I swallowed hard. Oh, he definitely had the stamina-more than this little punk could ever imagine.

Hayden took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "Whether I have the stamina or not isn't any of your business But right now, you can either walk out, or I'll help you."

Brad scoffed, about to throw another insult, but before he could say anything, he let out a yelp of pain,

Hayden had him by the back of his neck, dragging him toward the door. Brad squirmed and yelped like a kid, his face twisted in agony

It really did take a real man to deal with a nuisance like him.

By the time Hayden tossed Brad out, two security guards were already there, ready to keep him from coming back.

Chapter 271

That's when it hit me: Hayden wasn't just passing by the meeting room-he'd shown up specifically to deal with Brad.

Boyfriend goals, right there. I was actually experiencing it firsthand.

Being protected like this felt pretty damn good.

Brad's whining had already drawn a crowd of onlookers. And with just one move, Hayden had all the girls in the office swooning over him. Great. Day one, and he's already winning everyone over What's it gonna be like once he really settles in?

sit

I pressed my lips together, sneaking closer to him as the security guards dragged Brad away. "Damn, old man, didn't know you were this tough."

Hayden's Adam's apple bobbed as he turned to look at me, his eyes practically boring into mine. That look made my heart race for all the wrong reasons.

I screamed internally, 'Oh crap, he's not planning to do something right here, is he?"

I took a step back, ready to make a run for it, but his voice stopped me cold. "Ms. Kay, please come to my office."

Chapter 272

Chapter 272

Hayden sounded polite enough, using "please" and everything, but it still felt like a command from a superior.

And I knew this wasn't about work. Yesterday, he'd grilled me about those flowers from Brad, and now he'd just seen this whole scene go down firsthand. Was he planning another interrogation?

It hit me then-having a boyfriend is basically inviting trouble. If there were nothing between us, I could've just brushed Brad off and been done with it. No drama.

But now? I still had to deal with Hayden.

Ugh, it's true-no guy is ever completely chill.

With everyone's eyes on us, I couldn't exactly refuse. So, I reluctantly followed Hayden to his office.

It wasn't far from mine and was pretty minimalistic, except it was packed with all kinds of gadgets. Besides the standard desk, chair, and computer, there were tons of electronic equipment everywhere.

I had no idea what most of them were for, but all that gear definitely looked like the kind of setup that screams seven-figure salary.

I was still trying to make sense of it all when I heard the door click shut behind me.

Before we came in, I'd noticed the nameplate on his office door-Chief Engineer.

Definitely a title that came with a seven-figure salary.

Hayden looked at me. "Have you had breakfast?"

His gaze was so intense it made my heart race every time our eyes met. After last night, facing him directly felt even more nerve-wracking

I wandered over to his gadgets, pretending to check them out. "Yeah, I ate," I replied.

"Didn't I tell you to take the day off? Why are you here? His question made me stop pretending to be interested in the gadgets.

I turned to him. "Mr. Hart, you're overstepping."

His jaw tightened slightly.

I pressed my lips together. "We might be together, but that doesn't mean you get to control my life, especially my job. Even if you're trying to look out for me."

His lips parted. "I get it. I won't do it again.

His response was surprisingly sincere, and I didn't want to push it further, so I glanced around the room. Your setup here is pretty impressive."

He didn't say anything, and since it was work hours, I figured I shouldn't overstay my welcome. I gave a small smile. "Well, I'll leave you to it. I'm heading back to my office." 1.7

Chapter 272

"Kiki," Hayden called out.

"Mr. Hart," I replied, "we should keep things professional at work, and... I'd prefer if no one knew about us."

He frowned, so I quickly added, "It's not because I'm ashamed or interested in anyone else. I just don't want people gossiping or it affecting our work."

I laid it out there, trying to avoid any misunderstandings.

"Okay," he agreed quickly.

"Alright then, I'll let you get back to work," I said, turning to leave.

But Hayden stepped in front of me again. "What did you call me earlier?"

Huh?

I blinked, then realized he was talking about my teasing comment when Brad was getting escorted out.

"Oh, that? It was just a joke," I said, awkwardly.

"So, you really think I'm old?" Hayden asked, catching me off guard again.

Wait, what? No!

I'd just been messing around with the "old man" comment, but he seemed genuinely bothered.

Guess the tough guy wasn't big on jokes.

I shook my head and laughed. "No, you're definitely not old. Not even close."

"Tell the truth," he said, voice serious but almost daring me.

Chapter 273 Seeing that intense look on his face, I took a good look at him. Mature, confident, and yeah, pretty handsome.

Guys his age had that whole grown-up vibe going on. Way more appealing than, like, Brad.

Older guys were totally in right now.

It was all over social media-women of all ages, whether they were single, married, or even young girls, were into mature men like Hayden.

But him getting all worked up over the 'old man' thing? Clearly, he didn't get that his age was kind of a flex.

I stepped closer. "The truth? You're in your thirties. So yeah, you're not exactly young, especially compared to that kid from earlier who's barely eighteen. So it's not weird for him to call you 'old man' and-"

"You really think I'm old?" Hayden cut me off before I could finish.

He looked tense and genuinely upset.

Wow, I never thought he'd be this sensitive about his age.

I tried to clarify, "I just meant you're not, like, young young, but I didn't-"

Didn't get to finish before he cut me off again. "Anyone else can call me old, but not you."

I was speechless.

Seeing him all worked up like this, I couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Are you really worried I'm gonna think you're old? Or that I'd dump you just because of your age?"

He didn't respond, just sat there sulking. It was kind of adorable I reached up and gently rubbed his cheek. "Seriously, I'm not gonna ditch you. I'm into you because of your... I don't know, mature vibe. Otherwise, why would I have turned down that kid earlier? He's all young and full of potential, right?" Still nothing from him, so I gave his cheek another playful rub.

It hit me then: older guys could be so much harder to handle than I thought. Way more complicated than someone like Jace.

With Jace, a quick "sorry" was usually enough to smooth things over.

But Hayden? He was being stubborn, like a little kid who wouldn't budge. Clearly, I had to try something more drastic. So, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him "Happy now?"

I barely had time to step back before I felt a strong arm around my waist, pulling me back against him.

The grip reminded me of last night-how he'd held me tight, moving together like we were made for each other. My heart raced. "Mr. Ha-"

Aren't you the one who said we should keep things professional at work? So why are you getting all handsy with a 'colleague'?' he teased, his voice low and playful. Chapter 273 His words...

He really knew how to twist things to his advantage.

I realized how sneaky he was. He'd act all innocent and clueless around me, but the way he handled Brad earlier? He was far from naive.

This guy was definitely playing the fool to lure me in. But what could I say when I was the one already hooked?

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Stop messing around."

Hayden didn't push it, so I turned and headed for the door.

"Let's grab lunch together," he called out as I reached the doorway.

I pretended not to hear him, but as soon as I stepped outside, I nearly ran into Ron. He grinned at me." Ms. Kay, looks like you're pretty popular these days." I just stared at him.

"Come on, Ms. Kay, Ron continued, still grinning. Join us for lunch. We're having a little welcome for Mr. Hart."

I just stood there, still processing. I guess being Chief Engineer came with perks.

"Mr. Shane," I called out as Ron was about to head into Hayden's office.

He stopped, still smiling. "Ms. Kay, need something?"

"When I started, I don't remember you throwing me a welcome lunch."

Ron's smile faltered a bit, and I caught the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. party

Chapter 274 I didn't go to the lunch because Lena had already made plans with me.

She mentioned that her senior from college was coming to their hospital as a guest lecturer. She'd talked to him and set up a meeting to discuss Yuna's treatment plan. "Then I'll bring Hayden along." I said. Since Yuna was his sister, it made sense for him to be there and hear everything firsthand.

After a all, the final call on whether to go through with the surgery would be his.

Lena hesitated, and I could tell something was off. "Is there a problem? Is it inconvenient?"

"It's better if you come alone. He's only got a short break, and we'll have to keep it brief," Lena explained.

I went to the hospital alone with Yuna's medical records. Lena was waiting for me and, after skimming through the documents, she led me toward the lecture hall.

As we walked, she filled me in. "He's super busy. After the lecture, he's got a packed schedule, so you'll probably only get four or five minutes with him."

I raised an eyebrow. "That busy? Is he, like, the President or something?"

Lena laughed and played along. "Basically! He's an internationally renowned professor now. The only reason he's even here is probably because the hospital administration's been praying for a miracle, or maybe one of the directors pulled some serious strings." I glanced over at Lena and noticed a flicker of sadness in her eyes.

She was amazing in her own right, but compared to the senior she admired, her accomplishments probably felt small in comparison.

Maybe that's why she'd been holding onto this one-sided crush for so long.

Love is about being with someone who matches you, but it's also about walking alongside each other as equals.

"Have you met him privately?" I asked, still curious.

"No, he's always busy. And if I'd already met him, I wouldn't be dragging you along now," Lena said, nudging me. "Like I said, he's this big-shot professor, always with an assistant in tow, and his calendar's packed."

I got it. It wasn't that she didn't want to see him; she just never had the chance.

"You've got his personal contact, right? Why not give it a shot?" I suggested.

Lena didn't reply, just glanced away. By then, we'd reached the lecture hall, where a huge electronic screen announced: [Welcome, Professor Nate Neumann] We stepped inside, and the place was packed. On stage was a young, handsome guy with rimless. glasses, speaking with confidence.

Chapter 224 That had to be Nate Neumann.

His lecture was clear and to the point, and his voice was smooth, like he was made for TV or radio The white coat he wore caught the spotlights, making him look almost otherworldly.

Doctors really do have that aura, saving lives and all.

No wonder Lena kept him in her heart all this time, never letting anyone else take his place.

The lecture hall was packed, with people even crammed into the aisles. Since Lena and I got there late, we had no choice but to stand at the back and listen.

But maybe I was imagining things-when we walked in, it seemed like Nate glanced right at us.

"He's looking at you," I whispered, nudging Lena.

"He's looking at the audience. Don't overthink it," she said, brushing it off.

Nate's lecture wrapped up an hour later. My back was killing me from standing so long, but Lena looked totally unfazed.

I guess she would be. She was a doctor, used to standing for hours in surgeries, sometimes even ten or more. One hour was nothing for her.

But I was struggling. I wasn't used to standing this long, and after last night's... activities with Hayden, I was sore and my legs felt like jelly.

I stretched my aching back and glanced at Nate, now surrounded by people near the stage. "He's quite the speaker."

After a pause, I added, "And he's really good at it too."

Chapter 275 Chapter 275 I meant it. Even though I had no medical background, his explanations made it easy to follow and appreciate just how impressive modern medicine is.

"What's up with you? You look like you've been up to no good," Lena teased, ignoring my praise and zoning in on my state.

No surprise there-being a gynecologist gave her a sixth sense for this stuff. She didn't just notice. something was off; she pretty much guessed why.

I pouted. "Just a little worn out."

Lena's eyes went wide. "You... You actually did it? With who?"

The first part made sense, but those last two words were a bit much.

I glanced-around, thankful no one was nearby. Biting my lip, I replied, "Who do you think?"

Lena squinted at me for a moment. "Hayden?"

I didn't say anything, which was answer enough. Lena nodded slowly, then shook her head. "I can't believe It. Jace was with you for ten years and never got there, but Hayden swoops in and seals the deal?"

I was stunned into silence.

"What happened? Did you make the first move?" Lena asked, clearly overestimating my boldness.

I cleared my throat. "It was mutual."

Lena burst out laughing, obviously teasing me.

I glared at her. "What's so funny? It's true! I didn't force anything."

"That's not the point. The point is, you managed to snag such a good-looking guy. You definitely came out on top," Lena said, each word more shocking than the last.

I smirked and shot back, "Dr. Lane, I always wondered why you haven't shown interest in anyone or gotten involved with any guys all these years. Turns out you've been holding out for someone like Professor Neumann, thinking only that would be worth it?" Lena wasn't shy about it at all. "Exactly. If you're gonna do it, make it count-with someone you really like and who's exceptional."

"He is exceptional. It'd be a shame to let it pass by. You should just tell him how you feel. Who knows? It might actually work out, I encouraged her.

Lena pressed her lips together. "It's impossible between us. If I confess, there are only two possible outcomes."

"What are they?"

Lena hesitated. "One, we start a relationship and fall deeply in love. Two, I confess and lose him completely, not even as a friend."

I let out a small laugh. "That's such an obvious statement. Isn't it like that for any couple?"

Chapter 275 She shook her head, her smile tinged with a bit of self-mockery. "For us, it would definitely be the latter. So I'd rather say nothing and still have him as a friend"

Seeing her like this made me realize just how deep her feelings for Nate went. They ran so deep they could shape her future relationships and even her choice of a partner.

I wanted to tell her to take a leap, but everyone had their own reasons, and it was not my place to push.

So, I kept quiet and glanced toward the spot where Nate had been standing earlier. To my surprise, he was gone.

"Where's your Nate? Let's go find him!" I said, pulling on Lena's arm.

She turned around, and there was Nate, standing right behind us in his white coat.

Both Lena and I froze. We had no idea how long he'd been there or how much he'd heard of our conversation.

Lena was clearly nervous, maybe even embarrassed. She started fidgeting, tucking her hair behind her ear -her telltale habit whenever she felt awkward or self-conscious. She was so flustered she even forgot to say hello.

My social instincts kicked in. I stepped forward and extended my hand to Nate. "Professor Neumann, hi! I'm Lena's friend, Keira. Your lecture was absolutely amazing."

Nate shook my hand lightly, then let go, his eyes immediately shifting back to Lena.

I nudged her with my elbow, signaling her to say something.

Chapter 276 "Lena, didn't you say you had something to discuss with me?" Nate broke the silence first.

Lena quickly pulled herself together. "Yes, this is Keira, the friend I mentioned earlier. The girl, Yuna, who needs the surgery is her sister-in-law."

Wow. With that statement, Lena basically confirmed my relationship with Hayden, like it was already set in stone.

Nate nodded at me, so I handed over Yuna's medical records.

He glanced through them for a moment, then nodded again. "I've reviewed her case before, and what's in the records matches.

"The surgery is feasible, and the sooner, the better. I've already submitted a heart donor request. "Once a donor becomes available, we can proceed with the transplant."

"You mean we should admit Yuna to the hospital now and be ready for the transplant anytime?" Lenal asked, shifting into professional mode.

"Yes, the sooner, the better," Nate replied, his gaze lingering on Lena.

Was it just my imagination, or was there a softness in his eyes? And was that... a little sparkle?

This didn't look like the way a senior looks at a junior. It seemed more like... love.

Could it be that Nate also had feelings for Lena? That this wasn't just a one-sided crush, but a mutual, unspoken affection?

For some reason, the thought stuck with me.

"Dr.-I mean, Prof. Neumann," I corrected myself quickly. After all, he was more than just a doctor now. I'll have her brought in within the next couple of days," I agreed.

Lena jumped in, "Thank you for your help, Nate."

Nate gave her a gentle smile, his lips parting like he was about to say something, but before he could, at striking figure rushed over.

The woman had delicate features, her white coat adding a professional edge to her already charming presence. Her hair was styled in voluminous curls, and she had the sophisticated, confident aura of a career-oriented beauty. She stopped beside Nate. "Nate, Dr. Warren is waiting for you over there. We should get going."

She spoke to Nate like no one else existed, her eyes never leaving him.

The affection in her gaze was obvious. Anyone could see it.

And then it all made sense. This was why Lena kept her feelings hidden. This woman clearly loved Nate and had been by his side all along. She wasn't just stunning but also his colleague and equal.

In every way, she seemed like the perfect match for him. So Lena chose to step back, protecting herself from potential heartbreak.

12 Chapter 276 People say true love can move heaven and earth, but as someone who's been there-loving someone who feels way out of your league-I know that kind of love, where you're always looking up to them, is exhausting and never really lasts "Sorry for the inconvenience, Lena," the woman finally said, barely acknowledging her. It sounded more like a polite afterthought.

Lena gave a faint smile. "No worries. You two go ahead."

She linked arms with me, ready to leave, but Nate stopped her. "Lena, are you free tonight?"

His tone when he said her name was almost intimate, like she meant something more to him. My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel Lena's grip on my arm tighten.

I glanced at Lena. Tiny beads of sweat had formed on her nose.

She was both nervous and excited.

She hadn't dared to make the first move, but now Nate was putting himself out there. It was perfect.

I was sure she'd say yes, but instead, she answered casually, "Why do you ask?"

What a terrible response!

I shot her a look and discreetly pinched her arm. My eyes drifted back to the woman next to Nate. Her expression had tightened, her fingers curling into a fist, and her eyes were glued to Lena like she was suddenly worried. Yeah, she was definitely nervous.

I glanced at her name tag: [Professor Retta Roane).

Chapter 277 "It's nothing, just thought we could grab dinner," Nate said, totally straightforward.

Lena looked a little stunned and didn't reply right away Just when I thought she was going to blow it again, probably to be all polite or whatever, she surprised me with a simple, "Okay.

Yes!

She wasn't completely clueless. At least she wasn't about to push away a hot guy like Nate.

I mentally high-fived Lena, already imagining how amazing her night would be with her long-time crush. But then Retta chimed in, "It's been ages since we all hung out after graduation. We should definitely have a proper reunion." Wait, what?!

Talk about an overenthusiastic third wheel.

I'd been there before; it was obvious Retta didn't want Lena and Nate to have any alone time.

Lena was finally being brave, and now this uninvited guest was trying to weasel her way in. Even if Lena wanted to go along with it, I wasn't about to let that happen.

I was just about to jump in when Lena beat me to it. "Retta, Nate and I have something else to discuss." Boom. Direct and to the point.

Go, Lena! She wasn't about to let this chance slip away But Retta didn't even flinch. Instead, she flashed a cool smile. "I know it's about the surgery for your friend's family member. You might not realize it, but I'm also part of this project. I'll be assisting Nate in the operation." Oh, she was determined to tag along.

And since she was playing the "I'm part of the surgery team" card, it was going to be tough for Lena to refuse Lena's lips parted like she was about to say something, but before she could get a word out, Nate spoke up. "I'm talking to Lena about personal stuff."

My eyes widened. One word popped into my head: KO Nothing could've been a better shutdown than what Nate just said.

Retta's smile froze, and for a second, it looked more like she was in pain than trying to keep her cool. She shoved her hands into her coat pockets, forcing a wry smile. "If it's personal, then I won't intrude." Then she turned to Nate. "But we really should get going. It's not good to keep Dr. Warren waiting." Nate nodded at us, but his gaze lingered on Lena as they walked away.

Chapter 277 In that moment, I was absolutely certain Nate had feelings for her.

I mean, leaving aside how he'd just shut down his supposed partner, the way he looked at Lena wasn't how any random guy looked at a girl.

I was internally screaming with excitement for her.

As soon as Nate and Retta were out of sight, I grabbed Lena and pulled her into a hug, whispering in her ear, "Nate made the first move! You two are totally headed for something real."

"No way," Lena muttered, still blushing and looking a little unsure.

"He turned down Retta for you, and you're still not convinced?" I shot back.

Lena bit her lip. "Honestly, I want something serious, like a lifelong commitment with just one person, you know? And I'm not good at socializing or dealing with drama, so..."

I knew exactly what she meant-she didn't want to fight Retta for a guy.

"So, you're just gonna let the guy who's basically falling into your lap slip away? Lena, if you do that, I swear, I'll lose all respect for you."

She let out a long sigh. "That kind of love, where you're constantly worried someone's going to steal him away, it sounds exhausting. I'm scared I won't be able to handle it."

"Dr. Lane," I said, teasingly tapping her on the head with my finger, "did you forget what you told me once? "Don't stress over things that haven't even happened yet.

"How do you know that if Nate really wants to be with you, he won't set boundaries with Retta and keep you from feeling exactly what you're worried about?"

They say people are totally clueless about their own situations, and wow, was that true right now.

Lena dodged my finger, shaking her head. "Maybe we're just imagining things too perfectly. What if Nate asked me out, not because he likes me, but because he overheard us talking and wants to stop me from having feelings for him?"

Chapter 278 "What are you even saying? I'm SURE Nate likes you," I said, totally convinced.

I could see it in the way he looked at Lena-there was definitely a spark. But she just couldn't see it. Probably because she'd been crushing on him forever and convinced herself he was way out of her league. Honestly, that was just her self-doubt talking.

The only way she was going to believe it was if Nate made a move himself. I could hype her up all day, but it wouldn't matter unless he did something obvious.

"Alright, I'm heading out. But listen, you have to look amazing tonight. And make sure you switch your shift, okay? No excuses. You can't bail," I said, sounding more like her mom than I meant to.

She rolled her eyes, laughing. "My mom doesn't even stress over me this much."

Yeah, probably because her mom had no clue how hard she'd been crushing on this guy.

"Good luck, Lena." I gave her a fist bump. "I'm out."

"Wait, don't go just yet. Come with me to my office first," Lena said, grabbing my arm.

"Why? I need to get back to Hayden to talk about bringing Yuna in for the surgery," I reminded her.. She still held on tight. "This'll only take a minute."

I had no idea what she wanted, but I followed her to her office. She rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a small tube of ointment, handing it to me.

"What's this?" I asked, turning it over in my hand.

Before I could make sense of it, Lena started explaining. "When you get home, make sure to clean the area really well, then apply this. It'll help with the swelling, improve circulation, and heal any bruising." That's when it clicked. I knew exactly what it was for. Even though Lena and I were best friends and had seen each other naked a million times, I still felt my face heat up.

"I'm fine, really. I don't need it," I muttered, feeling embarrassed.

"Don't play tough. I can tell," Lena said, giving me that all-knowing look, like she was diagnosing a patient.

I fidgeted with the tube, avoiding her eyes. "Is it really that serious?"

"Absolutely. The first time can cause small tears, bleeding, or even inflammation. If you're not careful, it could lead to infections or, in rare cases, affect your reproductive health," she said, sounding like she was giving a medical lecture. I coughed awkwardly. "You doctors really know how to freak people out, huh?"

I'm just looking out for you," Lena sald, nodding toward the examination table. "Lie down, and I'll give you a quick checkup."

Chapter 279 Hearing the same words now just felt like he was mocking me.

"I know," I said, then added, "I'm not a kid anymore.

Jace seemed to catch what I meant and gave me a tight smile. "I guess I'm just overthinking things."

I stayed quiet as he went on, "Just be careful, okay? Don't walk around distracted."

I nodded, but the image from my dream flashed through my mind-Jace, covered in blood. Seeing him here at the hospital made my heart clench, and before could stop myself, I asked, "What are you doing here?"

His lips moved like he was about to answer, but nothing came out.

"Aren't you-" I started, wanting to ask if he was okay.

But before I could finish, someone called out from down the hall. "Jace, hurry up.

It was Tanya.

Jace's tall frame blocked my view, but I recognized her voice instantly.

It all made sense now. He wasn't here because he was unwell-he was here with Tanya.

I didn't need to ask why. It was probably just a prenatal checkup.

And here I was, stressing over him because of a stupid dream. How pathetic.

Jace's expression tightened at the sound of her voice. forced a smile, but it came out more mocking than anything. "You've got stuff to do. You should go."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away.

The second I got in my car, my phone buzzed twice. A message.

I opened it, and there it was-a text from Tanya: [Keira, since you and Jace are no longer together, I hope you can keep your distance from him.] Her words made my blood boil. I quickly typed back: [If you're that worried, why don't you just tie him to your hip? What I do is none of your business.] I hit send, then deleted her contact, letting out a long breath before starting the car and heading back to the office.

When I got there, Hayden wasn't around, and neither was Ron. They must've gone a little too hard at the welcome party and decided to skip out on work today.

Yuna's situation wasn't urgent, so I didn't bother calling Hayden.

But before the day ended, my phone rang. It was him, asking where I was.

"I'm at the office, working," I replied, making sure to hint at his absence. It was his first day, and he was already MIA in the afternoon.

Chapter 279 "I'm out with Mr. Shane, discussing business. I'll be back late, around seven. You should head home first. If you're hungry, grab something to eat, and I'll cook for you when I get back," Hayden said, sounding as worried as ever about keeping me fed. So, he was actually out on business, not goofing off like I'd assumed.

Suddenly, I felt a little guilty for jumping to conclusions.

"No need. I'll grab something simple. Just let me know when you're back," I said. I needed to talk to him about Yuna's surgery anyway.

Even though it was good news, I hadn't told Yuna yet. Ewanted Hayden's go-ahead first.

"I will," Hayden said.

I was about to hang up when he added, "I won't keep you waiting long." His tone carried a hint of something else-something suggestive.

I had no idea what to say to that.

True to his word, Hayden showed up right at seven. Remembering his last words, I decided to keep things focused. "I wanted to talk to you because Yuna's surgery is set. We've also secured a heart donor."

He just nodded with a calm "Hmm," like I'd told him the weather forecast.

My irritation flared up. After everything I'd done to get a top surgeon like Nate for the procedure, his indifference felt like a slap in the face. Like I was meddling in something I shouldn't.

"What's that supposed to mean, Hayden? If you don't want-"

I didn't get to finish. In two strides, he was in front of me, scooping me up in his arms. "Hayden, you-mmph...

He silenced me with a kiss, firm and urgent, and carried me straight toward the bedroom.

Chapter 280 My heart raced. Oh no, is he planning to go for it again?

It's human nature to crave what feels good, and once someone's had a taste, they want more.

I guess even the most put together people can't resist temptation. No wonder those characters in dramas risk everything just to fall in love.

Love really is the biggest weakness the universe gave us.

As Hayden's kisses deepened, I found my mind wandering off, caught up in a random swirl of thoughts.

But when he gently nipped my lip, I snapped back to reality. That's when I realized he'd already laid me down on the bed, his body pressing against mine.

His eyes were dark with desire, his Adam's apple bobbing in a way that made my breath catch. His strong arms were braced on either side of me, his muscles flexing, and I felt my mouth go dry.

He was a living, breathing temptation, and I could feel a tingling warmth spread through me, like a slow, gentle current buzzing under my skin.

1 knew exactly what this feeling was. I was getting turned on too, and I wanted him. Badly.

Desire was a powerful thing-I finally got that.

But there was a sliver of fear too. After all, the soreness from last night still hadn't fully faded. If we went for round two, I wasn't sure I could handle it..

And what if Lena was right? What if I got hurt, or worse, ended up with some kind of infection or fertility issues? That would be... awful.

I had to pull myself together.

As reason fought with desire, I was trying to think of a way to slow things down when Hayden leaned in again. His cheek brushed against mine, and his lips ghosted over my skin, my hair, then my ear. "You've worked so hard, honey," he whispered, his voice husky and low.

I knew he was thanking me for everything I'd done for Yuna. But after his lukewarm reaction earlier, I'd assumed he didn't really want to go through with the surgery.

"I thought you were upset," I said, pouting and giving him a light punch on the shoulder.

I wasn't sure if it hurt him, but his rock-hard muscles made my hand throb a little.

"I'm happy, and I'm grateful," he said, his lips brushing against my ear before he gently sucked on it.

A shiver ran down my spine, my toes curling from the sensation.

Hayden felt my reaction. He pressed closer, his kisses moving from my ear to my hairline, down to my cheek, nose, eyes, forehead, and finally to my lips. This slow, deliberate build-up....

It was killing me.

Chapter 280 And it was chipping away at my self-control. I couldn't help but arch my body toward him, my arms wrapping around his neck.

His breath was hot against my ear as his hand slipped under my shirt...

But then, my phone rang loudly in my pocket, making both of us jump. The heated moment evaporated in an instant.

I scrambled to reach for my phone, but it was trapped under his weight. Hayden had to help me fish it out. It was a call from Lindey.

I stared at the screen, torn between answering and just hanging up.

"Answer it," Hayden said, his voice steady. Then he stood up and left the bedroom.

I let out a shaky breath and brought the phone to my ear. "Lindey "Rea, if I die, it'll be because Jace and Tanya pissed me off!" Lindey's opening line hit me like a bomb.

I had no idea what had happened, so I could only ask, "Calm down. What did they do this time?"

"I just found out the real reason you two broke up. Jace gave your wedding house to that bitch!" Her words tore open a wound I thought I'd managed to seal shut.