Ch. 541..550
Chapter 541
A flicker of disappointment flashed in Wayne's eyes, but he nodded and raised his hand to flag down a cab for me. When it pulled up, he even opened the door.
As we drove off, I glanced back and saw Wayne's car trailing us-not too close, not too far, just keeping
watch.
The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, smirking a little. "Rough patch with your boyfriend, huh? He seems like a good one. You're upset, don't want to ride with him, so he's just following quietly to make sure you're safe." The guy was a little too chatty. I looked out the window. "He's not my boyfriend."
He blinked, surprised, and thankfully took the hint to stop talking.
I focused on the passing streetlights, letting the silence settle.
But then I caught a glimpse of another car in the rearview mirror, right behind Wayne's. My heart stuttered. It looked like Hayden's car.
Chadwick's words came back to me. 'Hayden is going to marry someone else.
I shut my eyes, telling myself I was seeing things, but that ache in my chest only tightened. After a few moments, I opened them again, and Hayden's car was still there.
It wasn't my imagination. He was really back there.
Shouldn't he be inside celebrating, soaking up all the congratulations with the Dragos? Why was he out here following me?
I needed to know for sure if it was really him. Leaning forward, I tapped the driver's seat. "Um, sir, could you, I don't know, maybe swerve a little? Like... make a sudden turn?" "What?" He looked at me like I'd asked him to drive off a cliff.
"I just want to test my boyfriend," I said, flashing an innocent smile. The driver gave me a side-eye, like he was thinking, 'Girl, you're changing your story by the minute.
He didn't know I was actually trying to test someone else.
But he just shrugged. "Alright, making lovebirds happy adds ten years to my life. Buckle up!" And with that, he floored it.
The car shot forward like a rocket, making me lurch back into my seat. Before I could process the speed, he spun the wheel hard, throwing us into a crazy swerve. We even did a full 360 right in the street. It was the kind of stunt you'd only see in a movie, yet here we were, pulling it off in real life.
By the time we screeched to a stop, I was dizzy, barely able to tell up from down. The driver turned to me, grinning. "Well, looks like your boyfriend showed up... ar, uh, both of them." "Real" Wayne called out as he yanked open my door.
But I barely looked at him. My gaze went straight to the other side, where Hayden was opening the opposite door.
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When he saw I was fine, his tense expression softened just a bit. He almost stepped back, like he was going to walk away. "Hayden!" I called, stopping him.
He turned to face me, his eyes guarded.
"What's this about? Why are you following me?" I asked, fighting the burn of tears at the edge of my eyes.
Hayden's jaw clenched. "I need to talk to you."
That familiar ache in my chest tightened. Was he really here to explain his engagement?
"What do you want to say?" My voice shook.
Hayden's gaze shifted over my shoulder, landing on Wayne. Then he nodded. "Step out."
I climbed out of the car, closing the door behind me. For a second, I caught Wayne's hurt look from across the hood, but I didn't let myself think about it.
I turned and walked straight toward Hayden.
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The night breeze was cool.
Under the streetlight, Hayden's shadow stretched long and tall, almost like he'd somehow grown since we'd been together.
Standing beside him, my shadow mingled with his, overlapping just enough to feel like we were one.
The sight sent a familiar ache through my chest, so sharp it was hard to breathe.
He felt so far above me now, with that whole marriage alliance with the Drago family hanging between us. The pain made my words come out a little harsher than I meant. "Mr. Hart, what exactly did you want to say?"
He didn't look at me; his eyes stayed fixed on the night sky. "Didn't you want to watch Steve's match? It's next week. I got you a ticket. You can go."
My heart clenched. So that was it-he wasn't really offering; he was just trying to push me out of the picture.
Now that he was marrying someone else, he was worried I'd get in the way, mess up his big plans? Since we broke up, every word from him felt like another cut, each one deeper than the last.
I bit my lip. "Who said I was going?"
I wanted to shout it, to sound defiant, but my voice came out weak, shaky, like even I didn't believe myself.
It wasn't lack of conviction-it was just the pain, pressing so hard that if I said one more word, I knew the tears would start falling.
But I didn't want to cry in front of him. This was my last shred of pride.
Once, I'd cried, begged him to stay, because I thought it was my fault, because I thought he'd misunderstood me.
But now? Now he was pushing me away, all for someone else. He was afraid I'd be a complication.
So, yeah, there was nothing left here. If I cried now, it would just be giving away what little dignity I had left.
"He'd be really happy to see you there," Hayden said, his tone edged with something that almost sounded... bitter.
If this were before, I might've thought he was jealous.
But now? His words were pure mockery.
My throat tightened painfully. I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms, forcing myself not to break.
Hayden pressed his lips together. "Steve's got a lot of support. As long as nothing disrupts him, he should take first place easily."
He finally looked at me. "You missed his last win-don't miss this one. Besides..." He hesitated. "This
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might be his final match. After this, he's planning to retire for good."
So, he was basically telling me it was now or never if I wanted to see Steve compete again.
But he didn't get it-watching Steve's match wasn't exactly top of my list right now.
"You're saying all this because you want me gone, aren't you?" I finally managed to get the words out.
He didn't respond. The silence hit harder than anything he could've said.
"Why?" I asked, my voice shaking. "Is it really because you don't want me to miss Steve's match?"
Still nothing. That silence told me everything.
So, I finished the thought for him. "I know why. You're worried I'll mess up your engagement, right? Afraid your fiancée might find out about me and get jealous?
As I spoke, the sting in my nose got worse, and I felt this wave of weakness wash over me, making me feel small and pathetic.
But I swallowed it down, pushing past the bitterness. I forced myself to stand tall, to not let him see even a hint of desperation.
Chapter 543
Once was enough for me to humble myself for love; I'm done making that mistake.
"Hayden, you seem to be forgetting something-we're enemies. I let you go a long time ago. Whoever you marry? Doesn't matter to me. I'll even send a wedding gift if you want."
I forced a smile. "No need to worry. I'm not clinging to you. When I decide to move on, I don't look back. Jace and I were together for ten years, and once I was done, I was done. With you? We barely lasted a few months."
I took a breath, feeling my voice steady out. "And let's not forget-your dad caused my parents' deaths. Sure, I don't hold that against you, but I can't act like it didn't happen. My parents would never forgive me."
"And the Drago family... they're my enemies too. Just because I haven't acted yet doesn't mean I've forgotten. I... I just..." I trailed off, my throat tight, feeling like I'd already said too much. But that ache in my chest wouldn't quit.
I added, "Look, Hayden. With everything between us, how could I still love you? So don't worry I'm not here to ruin your life. If I wanted revenge, I'd find a better way. I won't mess with your love or your marriage. I really do wish you happiness. Both of you." I looked up at the sky. "If you don't believe me, I'll swear it right here under the moon."
I raised my hand, forcing a smile even as tears slipped down my cheeks.
I caught the flicker of pain in Hayden's eyes.
So, he wasn't completely unaffected. Did my words get to him, or... was there still something left between
us?
The thought was ridiculous. He was about to marry someone else. There couldn't be anything left.
The thought was ridiculous, of course. He was about to marry someone else. There couldn't be any feelings left.
"I swear, if I ever interfere with Hayden Hart and-"
"Enough!" Hayden cut me off, his voice sharp. He turned and walked away, not looking back.
My hand fell slowly, exhaustion washing over me.
I stood there, frozen, until I felt someone drape a warm jacket over my shoulders.
This time, I didn't resist Wayne's help. He'd already sent the cab away and silently took it upon himself to bring me home.
***
News of the Hart and Drago family alliance was everywhere. Hayden and Yara were trending nonstop, with Yara's accomplishments plastered across the internet, turning her into some kind of role model.
But buried under all those headlines, there was one werd local news story-a guy had been rushed to the hospital after getting a billiard ball stuck somewhere it definitely didn't belong.
Curious, I clicked on it. And there he was: Bruno, the guy who'd harassed me last night.
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It didn't take a genius to guess someone had paid him back for me. But who?
Hayden was about to be married, so it couldn't have been him. So... Wayne?
Wayne had dropped me off last night, silent and serious, even leaving his jacket behind. I arranged to get it dry-cleaned and returned.
Not two seconds later, Lena called, her voice full of fire. "Can you believe Hayden? He's really doing this alliance thing. If he's marrying someone else, then you should be out there meeting new people too!" I cringed, remembering my last disaster of a blind date and quickly shut that idea down.
Lena tried to pep-talk me, sticking with me
I
window, stretched, and made up my mi the line for ages. When we finally hung up, I glanced out the
I booked a ticket to Houston.
I wasn't running away from Hayden's engagement. I just didn't want to miss Steve's last match.
But right after booking, my phone buzzed with a message from Yuna on social. I opened it to find a close-up of a plane ticket. I zoomed in, squinting at the details, then froze.
Yuna was also flying to Houston... on the exact same flight as me.
Chapter 543
Once was enough for me to humble myself for love; I'm done making that mistake.
"Hayden, you seem to be forgetting something-we're enemies. I let you go a long time ago. Whoever you marry? Doesn't matter to me. I'll even send a wedding gift if you want."
I forced a smile. "No need to worry. I'm not clinging to you. When I decide to move on, I don't look back. Jace and I were together for ten years, and once I was done, I was done. With you? We barely lasted a few months."
I took a breath, feeling my voice steady out. "And let's not forget-your dad caused my parents' deaths. Sure, I don't hold that against you, but I can't act like it didn't happen. My parents would never forgive me."
"And the Drago family... they're my enemies too. Just because I haven't acted yet doesn't mean I've forgotten. I... I just..." I trailed off, my throat tight, feeling like I'd already said too much. But that ache in my chest wouldn't quit.
I added, "Look, Hayden. With everything between us, how could I still love you? So don't worry I'm not here to ruin your life. If I wanted revenge, I'd find a better way. I won't mess with your love or your marriage. I really do wish you happiness. Both of you." I looked up at the sky. "If you don't believe me, I'll swear it right here under the moon."
I raised my hand, forcing a smile even as tears slipped down my cheeks.
I caught the flicker of pain in Hayden's eyes.
So, he wasn't completely unaffected. Did my words get to him, or... was there still something left between
us?
The thought was ridiculous. He was about to marry someone else. There couldn't be anything left.
The thought was ridiculous, of course. He was about to marry someone else. There couldn't be any feelings left.
"I swear, if I ever interfere with Hayden Hart and-"
"Enough!" Hayden cut me off, his voice sharp. He turned and walked away, not looking back.
My hand fell slowly, exhaustion washing over me.
I stood there, frozen, until I felt someone drape a warm jacket over my shoulders.
This time, I didn't resist Wayne's help. He'd already sent the cab away and silently took it upon himself to bring me home.
***
News of the Hart and Drago family alliance was everywhere. Hayden and Yara were trending nonstop, with Yara's accomplishments plastered across the internet, turning her into some kind of role model.
But buried under all those headlines, there was one werd local news story-a guy had been rushed to the hospital after getting a billiard ball stuck somewhere it definitely didn't belong.
Curious, I clicked on it. And there he was: Bruno, the guy who'd harassed me last night.
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It didn't take a genius to guess someone had paid him back for me. But who?
Hayden was about to be married, so it couldn't have been him. So... Wayne?
Wayne had dropped me off last night, silent and serious, even leaving his jacket behind. I arranged to get it dry-cleaned and returned.
Not two seconds later, Lena called, her voice full of fire. "Can you believe Hayden? He's really doing this alliance thing. If he's marrying someone else, then you should be out there meeting new people too!" I cringed, remembering my last disaster of a blind date and quickly shut that idea down.
Lena tried to pep-talk me, sticking with me
I
window, stretched, and made up my mi the line for ages. When we finally hung up, I glanced out the
I booked a ticket to Houston.
I wasn't running away from Hayden's engagement. I just didn't want to miss Steve's last match.
But right after booking, my phone buzzed with a message from Yuna on social. I opened it to find a close-up of a plane ticket. I zoomed in, squinting at the details, then froze.
Yuna was also flying to Houston... on the exact same flight as me.
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Chapter 544
"Keira! Wait, you're going to Houston too?" Yuna beamed, her usual sunshine self.
She acted like she hadn't seen any of the news online about Hayden. But I knew better. She'd totally seen it-she just wanted to keep things easy between us, like nothing had changed.
Sure, she was Hayden's sister, but she had her own take on things. Our mess was ours, and it didn't mess with how I felt about her.
"You should probably start thinking of me as your ex-sister-in-law," I said with a dry smile. "Since, you know... your brother's marrying someone else."
Her smile froze, her face dropping like she might actually cry.
"No." She shook her head, eyes fierce. "You'll always be my sister-in-law. I don't care what Hayden does; that spot's taken, and it's yours."
It didn't exactly erase my heartache, but her words took the edge off, just a little. This girl... all the times I'd looked out for her? Worth it.
"Hayden still loves you, you know," Yuna suddenly said, lifting her hand like she was swearing an oath. I couldn't help but think of myself last night, raising my hand to swear in front of Hayden. Gently, I pushed her hand down. "Let's skip the oath-taking. Just tell me, how are you so sure?"
"Well, okay, remember I told you he's, like, not over you?" She hesitated, then went on, voice soft. "There was this one time he got super drunk. I went to check on him, just to see if he needed water, and... he was holding your stuffed animal. He even called me by your name."
"He mumbled something about you waiting for him," she added, "like he'd come back and marry you once. he... finished whatever he was working on."
My heart twisted. Was she serious?
I didn't know if it was true or if Yuna was just trying to make me feel better.
"And get this," Yuna went on, "the only reason I'm even on this flight is because Hayden bought the ticket for me."
I blinked, caught off guard. "Wait-so he knows I'm on this flight?"
"That, I'm not sure of," she said, shrugging. "I kept bugging him about wanting to go to the match for days, and he kept saying no. Then, out of nowhere, he just bought me the ticket today. I think he knew you'd be here and wanted me to tag along so you wouldn't be alone."
And honestly? It made total sense. What were the odds otherwise?
But if he didn't want me anymore, why bother with all this?
I shook my head, knowing only Hayden could answer that. I glanced at Yuna, switching gears. "So... snooker, huh? I didn't know you were a fan."
Her cheeks turned pink as she leaned closer, whispering, "It's not about snooker. Wade likes it. He's going to the match, too."
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Ah. So she was here for her own little love story.
Thinking about how Wade ghosted her after she confessed, I couldn't help but ask, "So, he finally reached
out?"
She nodded, her voice barely above a murmur. "He said he can't return my feelings, but my confession made him really happy. And he'd be okay with being friends." "And you agreed?" I asked, already knowing what she'd say.
Yuna's eyes met mine, steady and sure. "I like him too much. If friendship is all he'll give, I'll take it. Just being around him is enough for now."
Poor girl. That kind of one-sided love-when you're all in, knowing they're not-is brutal, like a slow, constant ache.
"One day, you'll regret this," I warned softly.
"If I do, I'll handle it then. Right now, I'm just happy to see him, to be around him like before," Yuna said, looking totally at peace.
Seeing her so wrapped up in her feelings, I decided to let it go. I asked, "So... did Wade invite you to this match?"
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Yuna nodded, then went on. "Keira, it's wild, but I actually do like snooker now. I never cared about it before, but suddenly, it's fun. And it's not just that... ever since my surgery, my tastes in food, my opinions, even some random preferences-they've all shifted." She looked at me, eyes wide with curiosity. "Do you think it's because of the heart I received? I read somewhere that organ transplants can bring some of the donor's habits along with them." Her face was all lit up, hoping I had an answer.
I'd heard stories like that on TV, and even if science says it's a stretch, there are plenty of stories that make you wonder. Some people even say their taste in food changes after a liver transplant, like suddenly craving spicy stuff they couldn't stand before. "Maybe," I replied, glancing at her chest, where a stranger's heart was now beating.
"Oh, we got off track," she realized, shaking her head. "We were talking about Hayden, right? Keira, I know he's keeping an eye on you, no matter how distant he acts." Yuna's voice was so sure.
I couldn't stop thinking about that news report from earlier-about Bruno winding up in the hospital. And the kicker? The "accident" involved a snooker ball.
If someone wanted to hurt him, there were a hundred other ways to do it. But a snooker ball? It had to be tied to last night, when Bruno had called me his "snooker girl" and thrown down a challenge. So... was it Hayden who'd handled him?
Without thinking, I shot a text to Ron: [Was last night's incident with that Bruno guy Hayden's doing?]
His reply came fast: [Who else would it be?]
Then, before I could even blink, he unsent it and typed something new: [I'm not really sure. You could ask him yourself.]
I let out a dry laugh and turned my phone off.
"I don't get all the details with you and Hayden," Yuna said, her voice soft but steady. "But I know he loves you."
She paused, then added gently, "Do you want to tell me what happened?"
I sighed. "My thing with Hayden? Yeah, it's... complicated. There are parts I can't even wrap my head around." Like his dad's part in my parents' accident. He caused it, sure, but was it really all about money?
"If it'll help you two get back together," Yuna said, her face earnest, "I'll tell you everything I know."
I paused, considering. "Ten years ago, you must've been around eight or nine. You should remember some stuff. Back then, was your family struggling for money? Like, desperate?"
Yuna shook her head right away. "Nope, we weren't rich, but we were doing fine. My dad had a steady job driving for some businessman, and we lived pretty comfortably-especially compared to other families around. Some kids were even jealous of me." Thorsten had claimed Hayden's dad was paid to do it. But if they weren't hurting for cash, why would he
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go after my parents?
And it didn't make sense. My parents had been close enough with his dad for Hayden to hang out at my place all the time. So, if Hayden's dad actually took money to hurt them, only to end up dead himself... there had to be more.
Yuna's answer left me back at square one. I'd thought Hayden's dad was desperate for money for Yuna's treatments or some urgent expense. But clearly, I was wrong.
Yuna looked at me, confused. "Why are you asking all this?"
I couldn't tell her the real reason, so I just kept digging. "Do you remember anything weird happening around then?"
She thought for a second. "Actually, yeah. It involved Hayden."
My eyes widened. "Wait-Hayden?"
She nodded. "That was the year he went missing."
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"Huh?!"
Wait, Hayden went missing before?
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He'd never mentioned that. Now that I thought about it in all the time we'd been together, he'd rarely talked about his family or his past, aside from Yuna.
I'd always figured he felt self-conscious about his family background, and I didn't want to mess with his pride by asking. But now... maybe he'd kept quiet to hold me at a distance. The thought of that kinda stung.
"So... how did he go missing? Like, was he kidnapped by traffickers or something?" I half-joked.
"Worse. He was actually kidnapped. But my parents wouldn't let anyone talk about it."
I blinked, stunned. "Wait, kidnapped? But wasn't he old enough back then? How did that even happen?"
"I don't know much," Yuna admitted. "My parents kept it all hush-hush. I just overheard things here and there. Later, they managed to find him, but right after that, they sent him off to join the military." She shook her head. "You have no idea how much I cried when he left for boot camp."
I knew Hayden had been in the military, but I had no idea it was because of something like this.
Maybe his parents had wanted him to toughen up, to know how to protect himself if he ever faced that kind of danger again.
"Hayden never told you about any of this?" Yuna asked, noticing the shock on my face.
I forced a small, bitter smile. "No, he didn't. Makes me wonder if he even loves me. I mean, if you love someone, you'd want to share everything with them, right?"
Yuna, who was completely obsessed with Wade and couldn't go a day without seeing him, probably agreed with me.
Sure enough, she didn't argue. She just said, "Hayden's always been quiet. Even when he was home, he barely spoke more than a few words all year."
I didn't call her out on the weak excuse. Instead, I just gave her a small smile.
Whatever Hayden's reasons, it wasn't my place to push
He'd even bought Yuna's plane ticket on the same flight as mine. And to make her comfortable, I'd asked the flight attendants to adjust her seat. Yuna got airsick, and not long after we boarded, she was out cold.
But her words kept spinning in my mind. Could it be that Hayden's dad had targeted my parents because of Hayden's kidnapping, not for money? The thought gnawed at me, and I realized I hadn't even asked Yuna when exactly Hayden's kidnapping happened.
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But as I glanced over at her sleeping face, still creased with worry even in her sleep, I didn't have the heart to wake her.
By the time we touched down in Houston, it was evening again. But this time, there was no one waiting
for us.
We took a cab to the hotel. Yuna looked miserable, keeping her eyes shut the entire ride.
Watching her, I couldn't shake the worry. "Should we stop by a hospital, just to be safe?"
"No need, I'm fine," she mumbled, slipping her arm through mine and resting her head on my just need to lie down once we get to the hotel."
But I couldn't help reaching over to check her forehead. It felt a little warm.
shoulder. "I
Ignoring her protests, I had the driver take us straight to the hospital. When we got there, I insisted she get her heart checked. While she was inside, Hayden's call came through-he was calling Yuna, of course. Since her phone was with me, I didn't pick up. He called again, and when I didn't answer that either, my own phone lit up. Of course he'd call me. He had to know I was with her; he was clearly keeping tabs on everything I did. A sharp wave of irritation flared up. I hit "reject," but he immediately called back. I knew he was probably panicking, not able to reach Yuna.
So, what-he thought I was Yuna's designated babysitter now?
I finally answered, not giving him a second to speak before snapping, "Hayden, who said you could track my every move? And why shove me into 'babysitter' duty for your sister? You think you can just expect that of me?" He was silent on the other end for a beat, then asked in a low voice, "Where's Yuna? Why isn't she answering?"
His calm reply was like punching a pillow-my anger had nowhere to go. I stayed silent.
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Chapter 547
"Kiki, where's Yuna? Is she okay?" His voice softened, almost pleading.
Hearing him call me "Kiki" hit somewhere deep. It'd been ages since he used that nickname.
Just then, the exam room door opened, and Yuna came out. I handed her the phone. "It's for you."
She looked surprised but took it, putting it to her ear. I stepped back, trying to give her some space, but I could still catch bits of her conversation.
"...I get so motion-sick, so Keira brought me to the hospital just to be safe... Don't worry, doc says my heart's fine. Just need some rest.
"...I know, with Keira around, what's there to worry about? And Hayden, heads up-I'm only accepting one sister-in-law. If you try to replace her, I'm cutting you off!"
Her words made my chest ache, like I'd forgotten how to breathe.
"...Hayden, seriously. Don't stress. I'll take care of Keira too..."
She raised her voice a bit on that last part, making sure I'd hear it. She was trying so hard to play matchmaker, but she didn't get that love wasn't something you could just nudge back together. "You okay?" Yuna asked, walking over to me.
I'd already composed myself, meeting her gaze. "Me? I'm fine. Feeling better?"
She handed me her test results with a smirk. "See? I told you I'd be fine. You just freaked out and made me spend all that money on a check-up."
"If we hadn't, and something happened, Hayden would actually kill me," I teased back.
"Oh, please. You're more important to him than anything," she said, sliding in one last reminder of how much Hayden supposedly loved me.
I didn't answer, just led her back to the hotel.
That night, after Yuna had finally crashed, I lay in bed scrolling through my phone. A few unread texts from Lena lit up the screen:
[Met anyone cute?]
[Send a pic!]
[Oh, and guess what-Tanya's baby was discharged. He's up to 5 pounds, 11 ounces. Desmond's parents took him, and Tanya hasn't even bothered to show up]
Attached was a photo of the baby. I opened it and zoomed in. The baby had Tanya's round cheeks and tiny nose-definitely a little resemblance there.
I sighed, closing the image, and snapped a quick photo of Yuna snoozing, sending it to Cena: [Here's my hot date.]
Lena didn't reply, so I checked my other messages.
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Ron: [???]
He'd been waiting on a response to his earlier texts. I ignored it and kept scrolling until a message from " BX" caught my eye.
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I didn't recognize the name. All my contacts were saved with real names, so I figured it was spam. But curiosity got the best of me. I clicked it open, and the message read: [Looking forward to our game, Snooker Girl.]
I instantly thought of Bruno, the guy who'd been a total pest at that cocktail party. Hadn't Hayden set him straight? How was he still around, and how did he even get my number?
How was he still here, and when did he even get my info?
Just as I went to block him, I saw he was typing again.
I waited, thinking, 'What's he gonna say now? What's his deal?'
[Welcome to the beautiful Space City.]
A chill ran through me. "Space City" was Houston's official nickname. Bruno knew I was here.
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Chapter 548
So, I was being tracked this whole time.
But what was his plan? Retaliate against me?
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I gripped my phone tighter, staring at the screen. Bruno hadn't sent anything else, but his silence felt like a threat hanging in the air.
After a second of debating, I took a screenshot and sent it to Hayden. If Bruno was coming after me, and Yuna was here too, whatever mess he started could end up hurting her. Hayden needed to know. Even if he didn't care about me anymore, he couldn't ignore a risk to his sister.
In that moment, it felt natural to reach out to Hayden. Maybe it was habit, or maybe, deep down, I still trusted him-whether he wanted me or not.
As soon as I hit send, my phone rang. Hayden.
I picked up but stayed quiet, waiting. He broke the silence first. "You don't need to worry. I'll have people watching you."
His words hit me with a mix of relief and something warmer, though I tried not to show it.
"I don't need your protection," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I just don't want Yuna getting hurt because she's around me. So don't blame me if something happens to her."
He didn't reply, but he didn't hang up either. We just sat there, the silence stretching between us.
Finally, I asked, "Why's Bruno after me? Is it because of Steve?"
"Bruno had called me "Snooker Girl" when we met, and the only place I'd ever played was at Steve's. Considering all the trouble Steve's been in-and the fact that I'd come all the way here to check on him- maybe Bruno thought I was part of that mess too. Hayden let out a quiet "Mmhmm." "Steve's just their excuse. They're targeting you to get to me."
I froze as it all clicked together. Then, something Jace had hinted at came back to me. "So... is it true you're the one who took down the boss of Quartz Cue?"
Quartz Cue was more than just a shady cue sports club-it was practically an underworld front. Taking down their leader was a huge humiliation, and there was no way they'd let that slide.
Hayden didn't exactly confirm it. He just said, "You probably won't get to see Steve's match. You should head home. As soon as possible."
What the hell? Was he serious?
He was the one who pushed me to come here, and now, barely a day in, he's telling me to leave? "What kind of game are you playing?" I snapped, totally confused and more than a little pissed.
"It's too dangerous now that they're watching you," he said, voice low and unshakable,
My breath tightened. "So... because I'm... or because they think I'm your girlfriend, right?"
Hayden was silent, neither confirming nor denying. Finally, he said, "Don't worry. They won't hurt you.
1/2
Chapter 548
They'll just... use you to get to me."
His words only made me feel more unsettled. "Hayden, stop dodging. I'm asking one more time: are they after me because of what happened with Steve?" This time, he didn't avoid it. "Not entirely."
"What does that even mean, 'not entirely?" I was completely lost.
"It's complicated. I'll explain later, if I get the chance." He paused. "Just... don't mention any of this to Yuna. And... let her hang out with whoever she wants." That last part made it obvious he knew all about Yuna's crush, even though she thought she was keeping
it secret.
I got it, though. He didn't want her pulled into any of this. But where did that leave me?
Sure, he said he'd have people watching me, but I wasn't naive. I knew I was in real danger.
Still, all of this started because of Steve. And Steve's my friend. I can't blame Hayden for any of it.
Maybe if I hadn't reached out to him after what happened to Steve, Hayden wouldn't have gotten mixed up with Quartz Cue, and we wouldn't be in this mess. But I didn't regret it. Clearing Steve's name was worth whatever trouble came my way.
Chapter 540 Chapter 549 "Will Steve's match go on as planned? Is he still in danger?" I couldn't help but worry about him.
"He'll be fine," Hayden replied, sounding sure.
I stared out into the dark night beyond the window. "Do I really have to go back home?"
There was a pause, then Hayden said, "Walt for my update. And... delete that contact."
For a second, it felt like he was about to say more, but then he just hung up.
Between being in a foreign country and all this chaos, I knew sleep wasn't happening anytime soon.
I took Hayden's advice and deleted "BX" from my chat app.
Then I opened Steve's chat, tempted to send him a quick message, just to make sure he was okay. But knowing he was deep in training, I didn't want to distract him. So, I closed the chat without a word.
Lying there, I forced my eyes shut even though my mind was spinning. When Yuna woke up early, I could hear her talking softly on the phone.
Her voice was already gentle, but there was this sweetness to it when she was talking to someone she cared about. Just lying there, I could practically feel her happiness.
And then, thinking about her crush on Wade, a tiny bit of worry crept in. But Hayden had obviously checked Wade out, so if he said it was fine, I figured I didn't need to stress.
Oddly enough, listening to Yuna's quiet conversation must have calmed me, because I ended up drifting off. I didn't wake up until almost eleven.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Yuna reading a book. I had to admit, Wade's influence was bringing out the best in her.
"Have you eaten yet?" I asked, immediately worried she might have skipped breakfast.
Yuna nodded. "I ordered room service."
She was catching on fast. Last night, I'd called for room service, but today she'd figured it out on her own.
"Good." I yawned, remembering Hayden's instructions. Casually, I asked, "Did you get in touch with Wade?"
Her cheeks went pink, and she nodded, happiness written all over her face. Seeing her like that, I suddenly felt like maybe being with Wade wouldn't be so bad for her. "So, do you want to hang out with him alone?" I asked, and her eyes went wide with surprise.
Sitting up, I adjusted my robe. "If that's what you want, go for it. I won't tell Hayden."
She shook her head, looking horrified. "No way. If Hayden found out, he'd be furious-with both of us."
Honestly, she was so sweet, almost too innocent.
"If I don't say anything, and you don't either, how would he ever know?" I urged her.
""But..." She hesitated, still torn.
Chapter 549 "It's settled, then. But just for safety, I need to meet Wade first," I told her.
She thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "You know him already, anyway."
Two hours later, I met Wade in the hotel café. I didn't let Yuna come with me.
When Wade spotted me, he looked a little tense but managed a polite "Hi" as he sat down.
I broke the silence. "Have you let go of the past?"
Wade avoided my gaze, his eyes locked on his coffee, like looking at me might stir up memories of Narelle. "I don't have those kinds of feelings for Yuna."
I wasn't surprised. Wade wasn't the type to move on quickly; he'd stuck by Narelle's side, even through her two-year coma.
"But she's fallen for you," I said, watching him. He looked as lean as ever, but there was a new light in his eyes, something softer.
"I know," he replied, hesitating before adding, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have..."
He trailed off, leaving the thought unfinished.
I stirred my coffee slowly. "You shouldn't have what?"
Chapter 550 Wade stayed quiet, clearly wrestling with something-or just unwilling to admit it. I decided to cut to the chase. "Wade, did you come into Yuna's life on purpose?" His head snapped up, panic flashing in his eyes. That look alone was answer enough.
Thinking of how I resembled Narelle, and remembering how Wade had been close by after her passing- even following me into the hospital for Yuna's surgery couldn't help but ask, "Were you hoping that by spending time around Yuna, you'd get to see me more often? To... imagine Narelle through me?"
"No." His denial came out fast, almost desperately. "I haven't done that. Not even once."
He took a big gulp of coffee, like he was trying to calm himself or bury something.
I didn't say anything, just watched him carefully.
"Believe me or not," Wade said, his voice serious, "I've never thought of you as Narelle. You may look alike, but I know you're not the same person."
His honesty reassured me-at least a little.
I'd always worried that Wade might see me as Narelle's replacement, that he'd never really move on. Now that he'd said otherwise, I believed him. But one thing still didn't add up.
"Still," I pressed, "your presence around Yuna feels way too coincidental."
Wade's mouth tightened, and he said nothing.
It wasn't just my imagination-there was definitely more to his sudden interest in Yuna.
"If you're not willing to explain, I'll stop you from seeing her," I said bluntly.
"I mean no harm to Yuna. I just..." He faltered again. "I just want to protect her. Quietly, from a distance."
I could see the sincerity in his eyes; he wasn't putting on a show. But Wade and Yuna barely knew each other, so why this intense urge to protect her?
"Why do you want to protect her?" I asked, and then a thought struck me, making my heart pound. "Wade, don't tell me..."
My shock must've been obvious because Wade looked down, as if he knew I'd figured it out.
"Yuna's heart transplant... the heart she received... it was Narelle's, wasn't it?"
For a moment, it felt like my blood turned to ice. Suddenly, everything clicked.
No wonder Wade had stayed by the hospital that day, refusing to leave. He hadn't been there for me-he'd been there to witness Narelle's heart beating again, now inside Yuna. I took a couple of long sips of my coffee, trying to steady myself.
"Narelle is still alive, in a way," Wade murmured, his eyes misting over. "She lives on, in Yuna's world."
The bitterness of the coffee grounded me. "So, in a sense, you've started seeing Yuna as Narelle. Isn't that it?"
1/2 Chapter 550 Wade hesitated. "No, I know she's not Narelle. She just has Narelle's heart."
"But Yuna's fallen for you, Wade," I said, pushing a little further. "Do you think that love comes from Yuna herself, or from the heart beating in her chest?"
Wade took another sip of coffee. "I don't know."
I exhaled slowly. "So how do you plan to respond to her feelings?"
He stayed quiet, which told me everything. He was lost, caught between his past and whatever he felt now.
Feelings aren't something anyone else can sort out for you. In the end, this was Wade's decision to make.
I watched him, wrestling with emotions he couldn't seem to name. "Wade, even though Yuna has Narelle's heart, she's still Yuna. She's not Narelle, and you need to understand that. And..." I let my words hang there for a moment. "Yo have to figure out your own feelings and make a choice, soon. If you don't, you're only going to hurt Yuna more deeply."
"I know," he murmured, looking as lost as ever "I just... I don't know what to do right now."
Tunderstood, but there was nothing more I could say. I'd told him what he needed to hear. The rest was up to him.