Ch. 431..440
Chapter 431
Chapter
431
Lena smiled. "Sure."
"Oh wow, that was fast. Did you even ask Prof. Neumann?" I teased.
Lena waved it off. "Don't ask."
I caught on immediately. "Sooo, just the two of you tomorrow?"
"Yeah, but we wouldn't mind a double date," Lena winked, turning to walk away.
Watching her leave, I knew she didn't want Nate going anywhere, but she'd never admit it. Stubborn, as always.
"We should treat them to a nice dinner tomorrow. Maybe set up a little... surprise," I whispered to Hayden.
He blinked. "What surprise?"
I leaned closer. "A luxury presidential suite."
Hayden didn't go that far, but he did set up dinner at Seavora's fanciest restaurant. Classy move.
"Mrs. Hart, you and your hubby are really pulling out all the stops," Lena laughed.
Ever since Hayden proposed, Lena had started calling me the future Mrs. Hart. It still made me blush.
"Prof. Neumann saved Yuna's life. This is the least we can do," Hayden said, nodding at Nate.
Nate, looking sharp in a tailored suit, was a far cry from his usual doctor vibes. But honestly, Hayden wasn't looking too shabby either. Dressed to the nines, he reminded me of one of those broody CEOs from a TV drama. Lena elbowed me. "Dang, Hayden cleans up well. Almost dangerous."
"Obviously! Who do you think picked it out?" I grinned.
Dinner was a blast. Lena and I were eating, drinking, and joking around like we always did, keeping things fun.
Nate, usually all serious-professor mode, was surprisingly chill. And Hayden, who was normally more quiet, was holding his own in conversations with Nate. The two of them were actually getting along really well. "Hayden's a gem. He knows everything," Lena said when we took a break to hit the restroom.
"Duh! I had to travel thousands of miles to find him," I joked as we washed our hands.
But when I looked up, I saw Jace walking out of the men's room.
Our eyes met, and the way he looked at me, it was like he'd overheard everything. His gaze lingered a little too long, making the air feel heavy.
Lena broke the tension. "Mr. Johnston, fancy seeing you here."
Before I could say anything, my boss, Kylian, strolled out of the restroom too. Great. My ex and my boss?
What are the odds?
Chapter 431
Jace finally looked away and nodded at Kylian. "Mr. Hart, after you.'
Kylian saw me but didn't say a word. He and Jace just washed up, dried their hands, and walked out together.
"What's with Jace? He's like a ghost, always showing up wherever you are," Lena grumbled.
"Probably just a coincidence."
"How do you know it's a coincidence?" Lena wasn't buying it.
"The guy he was with is my boss, Kylian Hart. His family has some business deals with RiverwaveCorp, so it's not that weird."
"Ohh, makes sense. But didn't Jace kinda vanish for a while?" she asked, referring to his time out of the spotlight.
"Yeah, but he still has to wrap up deals that no one else can close."
Jace had mentioned back when we were together that some companies and families are tough nuts to crack.
"Jace is definitely a pro. In that department, he's ahead of Hayden," Lena sighed. "If only Hayden was a billionaire, then he'd be perfect."
"Please. You know I don't care about that stuff. Plus, it's not like I'm broke."
As we headed back to the private dining room, I spotted Hayden in the hallway. He was talking to someone-Kylian.
At first, I thought it was just small talk, but then I overheard Kylian say, "We've kept the Johnstons waiting for six months now. Any longer, and it'll start looking suspicious." www
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Wait, what? Kept the Johnstons waiting?
It wasn't just what Kylian said that threw me off-it was the fact he said "we" while talking to Hayden. Lena shot me a confused look, but I stayed quiet, holding my breath, waiting for Hayden's response.
There he was, in his perfectly tailored suit, looking all sharp and in control, like a guy who's used to making big decisions. Kylian-who was supposed to be the heir of the Hart family-suddenly seemed like the sidekick. "If it's that hard, just make the decision yourself," Hayden said coolly.
Kylian looked relieved. "Then I'll finalize things with them today," he said. "When will you be free?"
Hayden's brow furrowed. "Not anytime soon."
Kylian blinked, clearly thrown off by the brush-off. Just as he was about to say something else, Hayden cut him off. "I'm having dinner with my fiancée and friends. We'll talk later."
And with that, Hayden walked away, leaving Kylian standing there with his hand half-raised, before he just let it drop, totally defeated.
Once they were out of sight, Lena tugged at my arm. "Isn't Kylian the Hart family heir? Why does he act like such a pushover around Hayden?"
Yeah, it was weird. I'd noticed that before.
"Maybe it's because Hayden's some big-shot expert. You know how companies worship talent these days,
I said, even though I didn't quite believe it myself.
Lena rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. There are plenty of talented people out there, especially in Kehlmark. There's gotta be something more."
I shrugged. "Then what is it?"
Lena got quiet, thinking for a second, then nudged me. "What if Hayden's secretly part of the Hart family too?
I froze for a second, remembering everything about Hayden, and then laughed. "Yuna's surgery was covered by me. If he's a Hart, wouldn't he have paid for it?"
"Good point... but still..." Lena trailed off, thinking hard. "He's a top-tier talent. He's gotta be making bank, right? So why couldn't he pay for the surgery himself? It just doesn't add up."
I nodded. "Yeah, I wondered about that too. But Yuna told me Hayden's helped a ton of people. He probably donates most of what he earns."
Lena snorted. "Wow, charity's great and all, but dude needs to secure his own life first. Kinda clueless, don't you
think?" she said, mocking Hayden's financial choices.
Charity's great and all, but you've gotta take care of yourself first.
I smiled. "Don't be so hard on him. Maybe he's doing it to rack up some good karma for Yuna."
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"Sure, sure," Lena teased. "Always defending your man, huh?"
I shot back, "Well, don't you always defend Nate?"
But instead of her usual sass, Lena just smiled, and I could tell something was weighing on her. She didn't want Nate to leave.
I sped up to match her pace. "Look, if you don't want him to go, and you two are already together, why not just tell him?"
We reached the terrace, and Lena stopped, staring out into the night. "If I say something, it'll just make him feel guilty. I don't want to seem clingy."
"Who cares about being clingy when you're in love?" I said, letting out a little laugh. "When I was with Jace, I was always scared he'd think I was too immature, so I bent over backward to be the 'perfect' girlfriend. And look how that turned out." Lena didn't look at me, just kept her gaze on the night view. "It's different for us."
I didn't get how, but I didn't push. Instead, I asked, "Is Retta Roane going with him?"
"Yeah, they're a team. Wherever he goes, she'll be there too." Lena said it so casually, but I could feel the tension underneath.
And where does that leave Lena?
I didn't ask, though. It would've been too cruel. Lena had always thought Nate and Retta made a good match.
"Worried Retta might steal him away?" Lena turned to me with a teasing grin.
I smirked. "You're not worried, so why should I be? Nate's not my guy."
"You probably won't believe me, but I'm really not worried," she said, her eyes drifting back to the night view.
Chapter 433
I glanced out at the glittering skyline. "Let me guess. You're thinking if something was gonna happen between Nate and Retta, it would've by now. So, there's no room for you, right?" "Exactly! When I liked Nate, he liked me back. We've always been in sync, even if we weren't together," Lena said, totally confident and glowing.
Whether she was really feeling it or just talking herself up, I didn't want to crush her vibe. So, I nodded. "You guys are totally soulmates."
Then, a mischievous thought popped into my head, and I nudged her. "So, have you and Nate taken things to the next level yet? You know, soulmates and body mates?" Lena's face turned bright pink. "Not yet.".
"Wait, is it him? Or are you holding back?" I asked, way too curious now.
"Something just... I don't know, isn't right yet."
She knew she could tell me anything, no judgment.
"Ohhh, I know!" I grinned. "How about Hayden and I book you guys a suite tonight? If the mood's right, everything else will just click.",
Lena gave me a look. "That's not setting the mood, that's making things weird."
Noticing her weird expression, I asked, "Why are you giving me that look?"
"You've changed; you've gotten... naughty."
1 wiggled my hips playfully. "What can I say? Bad girls have all the fun."
Still laughing, we headed back to our table. Hayden was already there, chatting with Nate about who-knows-what.
As I sat down, my mind wandered back to the earlier convo Hayden had with Kylian. I decided to test the waters. "So, I ran into the big boss earlier." "Oh."
Classic Hayden, all brief and mysterious.
Hmm, interesting. I wasn't gonna drop it just yet. Before I could push more, he added, "I saw him too."
"Really?" I feigned surprise.
"Yeah, on my way to the restroom."
I took a sip of my water, thinking about how they'd been talking about that business deal. "He mentioned something about a deal."
Hayden nodded. "Yup."
"Yup? So, you knew about it already?" I pressed.
"Yeah. It's for that new imaging tech I've been working on. RiverwaveCorp's been after it, but we weren't
+25 BOI
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ready, so our boss was stalling the deal," he explained detailly.
Lena shot me a look, like 'See? Totally innocent.' I couldn't help but feel a little guilty for even doubting him. I raised my glass to Hayden and added flattery. "Looks like you're the star of the show. No tech, no deal, huh?" "Pretty much. They've been pushing for it 'cause they really need the tech," Hayden answered, always direct.
Lena chimed in with a grin. "So, if you're that important, does that mean you'll be rolling in cash when this deal goes through?"
Hayden paused, then glanced at me with a smirk. "Maybe enough to cover a wedding."
Lena and I both froze, and she immediately gasped, "Hayden, you can't just throw out relationship goals like that!"
My heart did a little flip, and I leaned my head on Hayden's shoulder, smiling. "Lena, you and Professor Neumann better start setting some goals too."
But Lena wasn't biting. She stayed glued to Nate's side, quiet for the rest of dinner.
After a few drinks, we called a sober driver service. Nate was dropped off first, but before he left, he grabbed Lena's hand. "Wait. Don't go yet-I want to talk It was obvious-he wanted her to stay.
Lena turned about a million shades of red as she followed him inside.
2
Watching them disappear into the hotel, I linked arms with Hayden and grinned. "Babe, I kinda feel like staying at a hotel tonight too."
Chapter 434
Hayden and I ended up snagging the room right next to Nate's, which worked out perfectly because, let's be real, I was dying to see if Lena was gonna spend the night with him. I didn't really care about staying at the hotel-just straight-up nosy.
The second we got to our room, we made a beeline for the balcony. I wasn't even all the way outside before I caught Nate's voice floating over.
"Lena, have you ever thought about working abroad? With your skills, you'd kill it overseas," he said, voice all soft and serious.
I crouched down, peeking over the edge. Sure enough, there they were-Nate had his arm around Lena, both leaning against the railing, staring at the city lights.
"I haven't really thought about it... until tonight," Lena's voice was quieter than I'd ever heard it-like a totally different person from the cool doctor I knew. "Would you consider it?" Nate asked, still soft.
She didn't answer right away, so he kept going. "If you wanted, I could help set things up for you."
"Nate," Lena said his name, and I knew something serious was about to drop. "Have you ever thought about coming back to Kehlmark?"
There was a pause, then Nate replied, "No." But he said it like he'd thought about it a million times before. Lena snuggled closer into his chest. "Why not?"
"My biggest accomplishments have been abroad. I'm not just working overseas-I'm recognized globally," he said, sounding proud but not braggy. Just... honest. "Your work's known all over, so what does it matter where you are?" Lena paused, then added, "But Nate, my family, my friends, my whole life is in Kehlmark." Ugh, I got a little choked up. Lena was never the type to change her whole life for a guy, even if she loved him.
"I know. I'm not trying to push you," Nate said, resting his chin on her head. "I just think we should be together if we're getting married."
Okay, whoa. That escalated quickly.
I started noticing how every guy has his own way of showing affection. Hayden loves poking me in the waist. Jace used to pinch my cheeks. And Nate? He had his own quiet way of being sweet. But his words hit me. Once they got married, one of them would have to make a big sacrifice. "Have you really thought about marrying me?" Lena teased, trying to feel out how serious he was. "Yeah," Nate said, no hesitation. "I've wanted you to be my future wife since I realized I loved you. If I didn't, wouldn't this all just be messing around?" Wow, Nate really had his life figured out.
Guys might not always get how big of a deal marriage is, but for a girl? It's huge.
Chapter 434
+25 BON
Sure enough, Lena, who'd been chilling in Nate's arms, turned to face him. Her eyes were all soft, totally lost in the moment. She didn't say a word-just looked at him. The tension between them? So real.
Nate leaned in, Lena went on her tiptoes, and right as their lips were about to meet-bam! Hayden's hand blocked my view, yanking me back.
Before I could even react, he wrapped me up in his arms, dragging me away from my spying spot.
"Hey!" I protested.
"Not for kids." he said, throwing out those three words like he was making a joke.
I burst out laughing. "I just wanted to see how brainiacs like them show love. Might be different than how we do."
He raised an eyebrow. "Brainiacs? So what are we? If they're the cultured type, what am I? Some caveman?"
Was he... actually offended? Guys can be so dramatic.
"Well? Answer me," he said, staring at me like he was really waiting for a definition.
I looked at his ridiculously handsome face and grinned, totally honest. "You? Easy. Tough guy."
His eyebrows shot up. "Tough?"
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435
"And... hard," I teased, watching Hayden's jaw tighten.
He didn't say a word, but I could feel the tension. His grip loosened on me, but his mood was obvious.
"Seriously, Hayden?" I tugged on his arm, pouting like a pro. "You're not actually mad, right?"
"No," he muttered, but his face said, 'absolutely yes.'
"Come on, you're not the type to get all worked up over something like this, are you?" I tilted my head, trying to figure him out.
"I know exactly what you mean," he said, lifting me like I was nothing and plopping me right onto the hotel room's rocking chair.
I laughed, wrapping my legs around his waist. "Oh, so you think you've got me all figured out, huh?" I tugged him closer.
He swallowed hard, trying so badly to keep his cool, but the way his body stiffened under my touch? Oh yeah, I had him right where I wanted.
He looked so serious, almost adorable in this new, flustered way. I couldn't help but push more.
"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" I smirked, my legs still wrapped around him, shifting just enough to mess with his head.
Hayden still wouldn't give in, but I wasn't letting him off that easy. I pulled him closer, the chair swaying beneath me.
He leaned forward, hands gripping the chair for balance, while I reached up, yanking him down by the collar of his shirt until his face was inches from mine. His breath hitched, and I could feel him starting to crack.
"If you won't say it, I will," I murmured against his ear, feeling his skin heat up. Yeah, I knew exactly what I was doing to him.
He tried to pull back, but I didn't let go, pressing my body closer.
"You're not the type to fuss over details or baby anyone," I said, pausing just long enough to feel the tension in his muscles spike. "That's how you were when I first met you-rough around the edges. And once I get an impression, it sticks. You're my tough guy, Hayden. Always have been."
I couldn't see his face, but I felt his body tighten under my hands.
"And as for hard..." My hand trailed down from his chest, gliding lower, teasing. "You wouldn't deny that, would you? Hard enough to-"
Before I could finish, the chair rocked beneath us, harder than before. I gasped, and in one quick move, Hayden grabbed the arms of the chair, stopping it, then lifted me like I weighed nothing.
"I'll show you exactly how hard I can be," he said, his voice low, with that edge I knew too well.
Men-always so composed until you push the right button. Then instincts kick in, and their real side shows.
Chapter 435
I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered, "No."
Hayden gave me a deep look. I knew he misunderstood-he thought my "No" meant I was shutting down the whole thing.
"I don't want to go anywhere," I said, smiling up at him, all coy. "I want... it right here."
He glanced at the rocking chair, then back at me. "It's too small."
"But it sways," I teased, watching his expression shift. A rare flicker of unease crossed his face, and I leaned in close to his ear. "Might save you some work.
"I don't need saving. But if you want it here, I'll make it happen." His voice was low, full of promise. With that, he sat down on the rocking chair, pulling me onto his lap. The chair dipped under our weight, swaying gently. We locked eyes, and the heat between us was practically electric.
Sometimes, it's the little things-the teasing, the unexpected places-that build the most tension.
His hand slid under my dress, fingers tracing a lazy, torturous path up my thigh. I leaned in, my teeth gently catching the buttons of his shirt, tugging them loose, one by one.
But just as things were about to get serious, a knock from the room next door snapped us back.
"Nate, you up?" Retta's voice cut through the walls.
Of course, she'd show up just to ruin Lena's night.
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Chapter 436
I wasn't sure what was happening over in Lena's room, but judging from earlier? Yeah, it was probably getting just as heated as things were with Hayden and me.
Getting interrupted during that moment, especially their first time, would definitely leave a mark.
I pressed down on Hayden, who was beyond ready. "Hold up a sec."
His chest rose and fell, and his eyes were smoldering. "Hmm?"
I nodded toward the door with a pout. "You hear that? Someone's trying to ruin the vibe next door."
His gaze stayed locked on me. "So?"
"Come on, a hero's gotta step in when there's injustice," I said, already wriggling out from under him.
"And what about the injustice happening right here?" he asked, making me grin.
I cupped his face and gave him a quick kiss. "Just hang tight, babe. I'll go handle the villain."
I knew I sounded ridiculous, but honestly? That's how I felt with him-like a carefree kid.
It's wild how true that old saying is: when you're with someone who really loves you, you just start to feel lighter, younger, like you're rewinding time in the best way.
That's exactly how I am now. With Jace, I always had to act all grown-up and distant, trying to fit into that, future CEO wife' mold. I spent so much time keeping up appearances, making sure I didn't mess with Jace's image, that I felt old before my time. Lena used to point out that Hayden didn't have Jace's wealth or status, but honestly? That's what makes being with him feel so freeing.
Sometimes you have to lose something to gain something better, right?
Like a ninja, I slid off Hayden and quickly straightened my clothes, rushing to the door. But just as I opened it, Nate's door across the hall swung open, too. And it wasn't Nate who stepped out-it was Lena.
I paused in the doorway, deciding to stay out of it for now. If things went well, I'd just enjoy the show. If not, I'd jump in.
"Where's Nate?" Retta asked Lena bluntly.
"He's in the shower," Lena replied, super chill. It was a simple answer, but the way she said it had a different vibe now.
Retta didn't even blink. She just gave a little smile. "Yeah, he does love his nightly showers."
Oof. That was definitely a subtle dig, like she knew Nate's habits better than Lena. Total pot-stirrer, this
one.
Lena didn't even flinch, though. "So, you didn't come here for Nate, huh? Looks like you came for me." Years of dealing with difficult patients must've sharpened Lena's wit-she could read people like a book. Retta, wearing some fancy silk nightgown, tried to play innocent, but then... I almost gasped.
Chapter 436
When we left dinner, Lena was in this elegant evening dress. But now? She was standing there in a white men's dress shirt. Nate's shirt.
Well, damn. Looks like they moved way faster than Hayden and I, who hadn't even gotten through a third of the foreplay yet.
Guess being with someone in their thirties speeds things up, huh?
While I was thinking this over, Retta's voice turned icy. "Why would I need to see you?"
Yep, classic Retta-trying to make Lena feel small, like she didn't even matter.
It was a tricky line to come back from, but Lena? She didn't take the bait, though. She just smiled coolly." So you came here for Nate's shower, then?"
I paused, fighting the urge to laugh. That's Lena-sharp as a tack.
For the first time, Retta's confident mask slipped, but she quickly fired back, "Lena, I'm someone who understands decency and propriety."
The shade was clear-she was basically calling Lena out for spending the night with Nate.
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Chapter 437
Lena wasn't about to back down. "Totally. Nate's my boyfriend, so I'm sure you'll respect those boundaries.
Her confidence? Unshakable. She knew her place, and she owned it.
Retta held her gaze, clearly trying to push buttons that weren't getting pushed. After a few awkward seconds of back-and-forth, Retta finally gave in with a sharp, "Tell Nate to leave an hour early tomorrow. If he's late, no one's waiting." Like, okay, chill. We all knew she was just being dramatic.
Lena smiled, all calm and collected. "Sure, we'll be up all night anyway."
Honestly? I wanted to give Lena a standing ovation-she crushed that.
Retta's flawless face finally cracked. She scowled, then stormed off in a huff.
As Retta disappeared down the hall, I flashed Lena a thumbs-up from across the way.
She pointed right back at me with a look that screamed, 'I can't believe you're staying right next door to us.
Lena: 1. Retta: 0. She handled it like a boss, and I was riding that high with her.
Back in the room, I practically tackled Hayden, kissing him. "You didn't hear it, but Lena was amazing."
He wrapped his arms around my waist, smirking. "You sound like you just won the fight yourself."
"Well, duh. Lena's enemies are my enemies. Mess with her, you mess with me," I said, making it clear where I stood.
Hayden smirked, his voice low. "So, what, you're ditching our happiness for hers now?"
I winced, remembering how I'd hit pause on our night earlier. Guilty, I cupped his face. "It won't happen again."
"Oh? Won't happen again?" he teased, clearly messing with me.
J
I shut him up with another kiss-my go-to move that he never could resist. A few seconds later, he dropped the whole "interruption" thing.
"Still wanna pick up where we left off?" His voice went all husky, and yeah, I was definitely in.
"Mhm." I nibbled his ear. "I'm thinking we try something new."
Hayden was always game for whatever, and before we knew it, we went from the bed to the couch and, yep, ended up on the balcony. That last part? Totally my idea.
I laughed, teasing him, "Think Lena and Nate are getting as wild as we are?"
Spoiler alert: They weren't. The balcony next door was completely empty. But as Hayden held me from behind, and we stared up at the night sky, it felt like we were touching the stars. Chapter 437
+25 BONU
After all that, I was completely wiped. But even though I was exhausted, I kept one ear out for anything going on next door.
Thankfully, after Lena sent Retta packing, there was no more drama.
Hayden helped me clean up, then jumped in the shower himself. I was super tired, but curiosity got the best of me, so I grabbed my phone and opened the chat app, fingers barely moving. [Send me a status pic I texted Lena.
When she didn't respond, I sent another: [What, still going at it?]
Still no reply. I figured she was either still busy or passed out, so I tossed my phone aside, ready to sleep.
But then-ping! My phone lit up with a notification. I grabbed it, thinking it was Lena, but nope.
It wasn't from her.
I exited our chat, and the new message was from someone named Cedric Sawyer. Wait, who?
It took me a sec to remember, but when I opened the message, my heart stopped.
[Your parents' accident report is still missing a page. If you want it, contact me.]
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The thing I've been chasing for years... just dropped into my inbox like some sketchy mystery gift.
At first, I was excited. But then confusion hit me.
Why now? Why this random person? And how did he even know what I was looking for?
The accident happened forever ago-over a decade. Why had this person been sitting on that missing page for so long? Was it even real? Or was this some kind of weird trap?
A million questions ran through my head, but honestly, I couldn't let this go. No matter what.
My hands were shaking as I typed back: [When can we meet?]
No response.
I waited, like, five seconds, but it felt like an eternity. Who even was this person? When did he add me?
I checked his profile and realized he'd friended me a while back, and I'd even left a note: [Officer Sawyer.]
Right. He had sent a friend request ages ago, but I'd forgotten about it.
So, this was the officer in charge of my parents' case? My pulse picked up again, hard.
I fired off another message: [Officer Sawyer, I'd like to meet you.]
The app showed he was typing. My heart was in my throat.
[Wait for my call.]
Four little words. Simple, but they hit like a ton of bricks.
I quickly replied: [Okay.]
Then... nothing. I stared at the screen, feeling everything-excitement, anxiety, and something darker creeping in. Dread.
All the warnings from Thorsten, Matthew's weird advice to drop this, the missing page, Hayden's dad being involved... it had all been messing with my head. And now, this missing page felt like a ticking bomb. But who was gonna get blown up? I didn't know, and honestly, I was too scared to even guess. Still, the more freaked out I got, the more determined I was to see this through.
When Hayden came back, I was out on the balcony, trying to figure out if I should tell him or keep this to myself.
"Why aren't you asleep?" Hayden asked as he stepped outside, all cool and fresh from his shower.
I wrapped my arms around him. "Couldn't sleep."
His heartbeat was steady against my ear, but it only made mine race even faster.
His hand gently rested on top of my head. "Something bothering you?"
I paused, biting my lip. Should I tell him? It wasn't that I didn't trust him-I totally did. But this?
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Ever since I started digging into my parents' accident, nothing had been easy. And now that I was so close to the truth, I was terrified I'd screw it up. Even though I trusted Hayden with everything, a tiny part of me hesitated. I mean, this involved his dad
too.
I pressed my cheek against his chest. "No, just texting Lena. She didn't respond, so I came out here, hoping to run into her."
Hayden didn't push. He just kept stroking my hair. After a beat, he said softly, "It's late. Let's get some sleep."
"Carry me to bed," I teased, trying to shake off the tension.
Without missing a beat, Hayden scooped me up and carried me inside.
Just as we left the balcony, I heard the sliding door next door open. I didn't bother looking to see if it was Lena or Nate. STARE
That night, I barely slept. Neither did Hayden. But he didn't say anything, just held me close, patting my back in the quiet darkness.
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I woke up the next morning as soon as Hayden slipped out of bed. I wandered to the balcony, just in time to spot Nate getting into his car.
He was holding Lena's hand-not in a full-on PDA way, but there was definitely something there. Like, they clearly had a night..
Then, right on cue, Retta appeared, looking effortlessly chic in her beige blouse and white pants. Honestly, without her lab coat, she could've been straight out of a fashion magazine.
She was obviously trying to catch Nate's eye, probably hoping to throw Lena off her game.
"Nate, good morning!" Retta called out, flashing her most charming smile, acting like it didn't faze her that Lena had totally stayed over.
Nate barely glanced her way, just nodded. "We're all waiting on you."
I had to grin. He wasn't giving her anything. He definitely knew about her little stunt last night.
Retta's smile slipped for a second, and she shot Lena this look, like, 'How dare you tell him what I said. Lena? Totally unbothered. She just smiled right back. "Yep, told him if he's late, you guys aren't waiting." Retta's face tightened, but Nate cut her off before she could say anything. He turned to Lena, taking her hands, his voice all soft, "You should head back. We'll chat later, and once I'm settled, you can join me." The way he looked at her was so full of affection, it was almost too much for me, even from up here. Can't imagine how Retta felt, having to watch that.
After a few more seconds, Retta got into the car with a huff and slammed the door. Classic.
Lena wrapped her arms around Nate, whispered something in his ear, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. I was hit with second-hand PDA so hard I almost felt bad for Retta. Almost.
Once Nate drove off, Lena stood there looking a little bummed, and it tugged at my heart. I was about to head downstairs to give her a hug when she suddenly looked up and pointed right at me.
I couldn't help but laugh. I wiggled my fingers at her, beckoning. "Come on up."
She didn't need to be told twice. As she headed upstairs, I spotted Hayden still in his robe and casually called, "Lena's coming up."
He nodded and headed to the bedroom. "I'll get dressed."
I opened the door for Lena, and as soon as she walked in, I gave her a thumbs-up. "Handled that like a boss. No wonder you're my best friend."
Lena smirked, "Were you just next door to eavesdrop, or were you backing me up?",
I tugged on my robe, pretending to think. "Maybe I just wanted to switch up the view. Add a little spice."
She glanced at my neck with a smirk. "You're definitely living it up these days."
I took a step closer, pretending to peek down her shirt. "And you finally gave up your innocence, huh?"
Chapter 439
Lena swatted my hand away, fixing her collar. "Should I have saved it for a bigger payout?"
I laughed so hard I almost doubled over. We started to head to the living room, but she hesitated, eyeing the bedroom. "Hayden's still here. Is this cool?"
Right then, Hayden walked out, fully dressed. He nodded at Lena. "You two talk. I'm heading out."
Then he turned to me, all casual. "There's tea on the table, and I ordered breakfast. Take the day off, don't worry about the office."
Before I could answer, Lena jumped in. "Hayden, you practically live at the office now."
"Just a very flexible workplace," he said with a smile, and then he was gone.
As soon as the door closed, Lena hooked her arm around mine. "I swear, Hayden is way more than he seems. That vibe? Total CEO energy. Are you seriously telling me he's just some regular guy?" "Who knows, maybe he's secretly a billionaire," I teased, pulling her into the living room.
She thought I was about to undress her and immediately crossed her arms, all defensive. I rolled my eyes, "Relax, we've got the same parts."
Laughing, I grabbed the cup of tea Hayden left and held it up. "Want half?"
"You drink it," she said, flopping onto the couch and resting her head on my shoulder.
I put the glass down, looking at her. "What's up?" Something was clearly bothering her.
Chapter 440
Chapter 440
Lena didn't say anything at first, just buried her face in the crook of my neck.
I stroked her hair, teasing, "Missing Nate already, huh? It hurts, doesn't it?"
"It's worse than when I was just crushing on him," she sighed dramatically.
"Well, duh! You just got a taste of what you've been wanting for, like, forever, and now you're left hangi Of course it stings," I said, nudging her with a playful grin. Lena flashed a bold grin. "Who says I have to wait? I could hop on a plane and be with him whenever I want."
That reminded me of their convo from last night. "Wait, are you seriously thinking about it?"
She sat up on the couch, tucking her legs under her. "I don't know yet."
Which meant she was seriously considering it. I mean, who wouldn't? After years of secretly crushing o Nate, she finally got him, and now he's miles away.
"Take your time," I said, giving her a playful nudge. "But come on, spill. How was last night?"
Lena poked me in the arm. "Didn't you say what I have, you have too? What's there to be curious about? "Um, everything!" I grinned, leaning in. "I need to know what Nate, Professor Perfect Gentleman, is like once the clothes come off." Lena gave me a side-eye. "Ever since you got with Hayden, you've become so shameless."
I burst out laughing. Okay, maybe I was pushing it, but I was dying to know! Everyone's different, and this was a big moment for her.
Before we could dive any deeper, the breakfast Hayden ordered arrived. We sat down to eat, but it was clear Lena wasn't really into it. I mean, could you blame her? Nate had just left. Food wasn't exactly a priority when you're in a love haze. I wasn't super hungry either, so we just nibbled a bit.
Even though Hayden told me to rest, I decided to head out after cleaning up a little.
Lena and I made our way to the hospital to check on Tanya's baby. He was fast asleep in the incubator, and the nurse said he was doing great-growing fast, all his vitals looking perfect.
But the saddest part? Tanya hadn't come to see him. Not even once. Lena and I cared more about this little guy than his own mom did.
"Is Tanya still here, or did she get discharged?" I asked Lena, suddenly curious.
"She's still here," Lena started to say, but her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen, frowning. "It's the director of the hospital. What does he want?"
She stepped aside to take the call, and I focused on the baby again. He had Tanya's eyes, but everything else? Totally Desmond.
Chapter 440
Thinking about Desmond made my heart ache. So young, and his life ruined by Tanya's greed.
1 zoned out for a bit, only snapping back when I realized Lena had finished her call. But she wasn't moving. She was just standing there, staring into space, looking seriously off.
I waved a hand in front of her face. "Hey, what's up? Did the director call to offer you a promotion or something? Scared you're gonna run off with Nate?"
Lena turned to me, her face troubled, her eyes distant.
"Okay, seriously, what's going on? What did he say?"
Lena's voice was tight. "Tanya filed a lawsuit against me.
I froze.
Lena let out a bitter laugh. "She's accusing me of using my position to take revenge and deliberately removing her uterus."
I blinked, my blood boiling. "That's such a load of crap! If anyone's abusing their power, it's her! She's been spinning lies since day one."
Lena shook her head. "I followed every protocol. The medical board will investigate, but it's out of my hands."
I'd watched enough TV dramas to know where this was going. "But for now, you'll probably be suspended, right? Until they finish investigating?"
She gave me a small, resigned smile. "Looks like I'm getting an unexpected vacation."