Ch. 611..620

Chapter 611

I knew how heavy a snooker ball was. It wouldn't break bones, but it could definitely leave a mark if it hit you hard enough.

I tried to dodge, but the second I moved, strong arms wrapped around me. There was this huge thud, then more thuds, one after another.

Balls were flying at me-like, everywhere. I was spinning with them. And Hayden-Hayden was the one spinning me.

His hand was clutching my waist, yanking me this way and that as we tried to avoid the chaos.

I'd only ever seen stuff like this in action movies, but now it was real. Balls were coming straight for my face, and all I could do was watch. But Hayden? He was either pulling me out of the way or taking the hits himself. "Bruno, enough!" I heard Jace yelling through the noise, but it didn't matter.

I had no idea how long this was going on, only that the balls felt endless, pounding down on us. And I could feel Hayden getting slower, his grip on me weakening

He was getting tired

The sounds of the collisions started to fade, and I realized one of the balls must've hit him.

"Hayden?" I called out, my voice shaky, but I couldn't do anything to help him.

I knew having me here was just making it harder for him to dodge

I couldn't help him-but I couldn't be dead weight either. I had to find a way out of this

"I'll push you out in a second." Hayden's voice rumbled, low and close.

It felt like he was whispering right into my ear

I hadn't heard him sound like that since we broke up

Then, in that moment, I lost my balance, and I heard something heavy hit the floor. My body was weightless for a second, like I was suspended in air then dropped Hayden had shoved me out

"Real" Jace's voice cut through the noise

I crashed to the ground, and Jace was right there, lunging toward me. He slammed into the floor, and i ended up landing hard against him.

My body jolted back from the impact, and just as I was pushed away, I saw a ball speeding toward me

I froze, too shocked to move. But then, Hayden jumped in front of me, positioning himself between me and the ball

In that moment, all I saw was Hayden's figure blocking everything

"Hayden, watch out!" Yara screamed, and another deafening thud rang out

 

Chapter 611

I watched as Hayden's head snapped back, like he'd been hit with something heavy.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

With each sound, Hayden just stood there, taking the hits, one after another.

And he was staring at me...

He was looking at me like... like that..

I knew that look, but it felt different now.

"Hayden..." I whispered.

"Hayden!" Yara screamed too.

And then, Hayden's body swayed. He collapsed, crashing to the ground.

Thud

Hayden slammed into the ground with a sickening crash.

And just like that, the storm of flying balls disappeared. The noise faded, leaving only the sound of air moving through the room. "Hayden!" Yara screamed, rushing to him as he lay there.

Chapter 612

Haydent Hayident i tred to scream, but it felt like something was crushing my throat,

I couldn't even move to check on Hayden

"Hayden, please, talk to me! Yara's voice cracked as he shook him, but he stayed dead silent, not even a twitch

Id never seen him like this. Even when we shared a bed before, he always moved, always woke up at the slightest sound, telling me, "Don't move

But now, nothing

What the hell is happening?

"Bruno, call an ambulancet Now! Yara screamed, her face wet with tears.

The word "ambulance" sliced through the fog in my brain, and suddenly, everything hit me like a shock to the chest. It was like a breath I hadn't been able to take before, and for the first time, I could actually move. I shoved myself up, scrambling toward Hayden. "Rea, Jace," Steve's voice cut through the chaos, and then people were everywhere.

He grabbed me, pulling me back, blocking me from getting to Hayden.

By the time I turned to look again, Hayden was being hauled out by two people, rushing for the door. I wanted to run after them, but my legs wouldn't move. "Hayden," I managed to choke out, but no one even looked at me.

Bruno had been detained, and Jace was already on his way to the hospital. I just sat in a car, numb, my head replaying the image of Hayden falling over and over.

I waited in the ER for hours, from dawn until dusk. The lights in the operating room never went out.

A doctor finally came out, and I rushed to him, but all he said was they were still trying to save him.

"Stop asking. Just wait," Yara said, pulling me back into the chair.

Unlike me, she was so calm. But I knew she was just as scared as I was.

I saw it in the way she screamed and cried, holding Hayden like he was the only thing that mattered.

"He probably has a fracture in the back of his skull. That spot was soft when I held him," she murmured.

My heart froze, and I just stared at her. Her eyes were locked on nothing, but she kept going. "If it wasn't for the blow to his head, he could've handled the rest of it. He would've been fine." That one ball... he took it for me.

"Keira, you hate him, don't you? But you've got it all wrong," Yara said, her eyes locking onto mine.

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

"He didn't leave because he didn't love you, or because he thought you liked someone else. He broke up with you to protect you. And in the end, he still protected you-with his own life," Yara said, gripping her

Chapter 612

knees.

I glanced at her and saw the bruises on the back of her hands. I remembered how she'd been dodging or trying to block the balls when Hayden was protecting me. The bruises were from the hits. "Protecting me by breaking up with me... what does that even mean?" I asked, completely lost.

Yara sighed. "The truth is, you're not a great partner to him. You don't really get him. But it's not your fault. He never told you because he was too afraid you'd worry."

She was right. I didn't fully understand him-not after everything. After we broke up, after he became the heir to the Hart family, after he saved Steve in Houston, I realized how much of him was still a mystery to

1. me.

But like Yara said, it wasn't that I didn't get him-it's that he never let me: What could I do about that?

Chapter 613

"He opened my mouth,

Chapter 613

"He opened my mouth, but I had no idea what to say

Yara must've read my mind because she jumped in

"You know he was in the military, but what you don't know is that he was in some super secret ops squad. For three years, he ran these insane international missions. Took down the biggest crime syndicate out there. Bruno and Hernan? Just small time compared to what he's dealt with."

She went on. "Once his mission was done, Hayden went back to normal life. But with Steve's mess, Hayden realized those small-timers are starting to come back, and people are out for revenge. He knows how dangerous they are. They can't go after him directly, so they'll target the people he cares about instead."

Yara looked at me. "That's why he broke up with you. That's who he really is."

"Have you...and him..." My brain was a mess, but all I wanted was to know how Yara knew so much about Hayden. Had they worked together?

But the words wouldn't come.

Yara gave a bitter smile. "Our relationship was fake. He did it all to protect you."

I could see the emptiness behind her eyes.

She sighed, staring at the operating room door. "He knew they'd come for him, and even if he broke up with you, he'd still put you in danger. So, he staged this whole engagement with me, went public with it, just to keep you safe." "Why did you agree to it?" The second it was out, I regretted it.

I already knew the answer-she loved him.

"I wanted to protect him," Yara's answer hit me like a punch.

"Everyone thinks he's untouchable, but he's not. He can be hurt, too. So I stay close, keep him safe. That's why I'm still here," she said, then gave me this tired smile.

"You love him," I whispered, saying what she hadn't.

She nodded, no hesitation. "Yeah. I loved him before you even came into the picture, but... he doesn't feel the same way about me."

cky was

Yara was amazing, and she loved him so much. But Hayden? He didn't feel a thing for her. How lucky I that he chose me? Even his coldness-it was all just to protect me.

I couldn't speak. Yara's words made the anger I once felt for Hayden seem pointless.

"Actually," she went on, "every time he shut you out, it hurt him more than anyone else. I've seen him beat himself up about it. It was a side of him I'd never seen.

She looked at me. "Do you know? If he hadn't been like that, I wouldn't be telling you any of this." Yara smiled. "I admit I love him. But more than anything, I just want him to be happy." They say love is selfish, but Yara showed me what real love is-selfless, pure.

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Clapter 613

Being around her, I felt like I didn't deserve to love Hayden.

I'd only ever seen the surface, never thinking about why he might've pulled away, why he stopped loving me. I'd forgotten the promises he made, the things he'd done for me.

I wasn't strong enough in my love for him, or I wouldn't have doubted him over one word, one action. I'd let it all slip away.

I was still the same shallow person I'd always been.

"Don't think about anything else," Yara said, folding her hands together in prayer. "Let's just pray he's okay." She prayed. I sat, staring at the door. Time stretched on forever, until it finally opened.

A doctor stepped out, and Yara jumped up, rushing toward him. "Doctor..." "I'm so sorry. We did everything we could, but the surgery wasn't successful." His words hit like a wrecking ball. My legs gave out, and I dropped to the floor. Propter f

but I had no idea what to say

Yara must've read my mind because she jumped in

"You know he was in the military, but what you don't know is that he was in some super secret ops squad. For three years, he ran these insane international missions. Took down the biggest crime syndicate out there. Bruno and Hernan? Just small time compared to what he's dealt with."

She went on. "Once his mission was done, Hayden went back to normal life. But with Steve's mess, Hayden realized those small-timers are starting to come back, and people are out for revenge. He knows how dangerous they are. They can't go after him directly, so they'll target the people he cares about instead."

Yara looked at me. "That's why he broke up with you. That's who he really is."

"Have you...and him..." My brain was a mess, but all I wanted was to know how Yara knew so much about Hayden. Had they worked together?

But the words wouldn't come.

Yara gave a bitter smile. "Our relationship was fake. He did it all to protect you."

I could see the emptiness behind her eyes.

She sighed, staring at the operating room door. "He knew they'd come for him, and even if he broke up with you, he'd still put you in danger. So, he staged this whole engagement with me, went public with it, just to keep you safe." "Why did you agree to it?" The second it was out, I regretted it.

I already knew the answer-she loved him.

"I wanted to protect him," Yara's answer hit me like a punch.

"Everyone thinks he's untouchable, but he's not. He can be hurt, too. So I stay close, keep him safe. That's why I'm still here," she said, then gave me this tired smile.

"You love him," I whispered, saying what she hadn't.

She nodded, no hesitation. "Yeah. I loved him before you even came into the picture, but... he doesn't feel the same way about me."

cky was

Yara was amazing, and she loved him so much. But Hayden? He didn't feel a thing for her. How lucky I that he chose me? Even his coldness-it was all just to protect me.

I couldn't speak. Yara's words made the anger I once felt for Hayden seem pointless.

"Actually," she went on, "every time he shut you out, it hurt him more than anyone else. I've seen him beat himself up about it. It was a side of him I'd never seen.

She looked at me. "Do you know? If he hadn't been like that, I wouldn't be telling you any of this." Yara smiled. "I admit I love him. But more than anything, I just want him to be happy." They say love is selfish, but Yara showed me what real love is-selfless, pure.

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Clapter 613

Being around her, I felt like I didn't deserve to love Hayden.

I'd only ever seen the surface, never thinking about why he might've pulled away, why he stopped loving me. I'd forgotten the promises he made, the things he'd done for me.

I wasn't strong enough in my love for him, or I wouldn't have doubted him over one word, one action. I'd let it all slip away.

I was still the same shallow person I'd always been.

"Don't think about anything else," Yara said, folding her hands together in prayer. "Let's just pray he's okay." She prayed. I sat, staring at the door. Time stretched on forever, until it finally opened.

A doctor stepped out, and Yara jumped up, rushing toward him. "Doctor..." "I'm so sorry. We did everything we could, but the surgery wasn't successful." His words hit like a wrecking ball. My legs gave out, and I dropped to the floor. Propter f

Chapter 614

"What do you mean it wasn't successful?"

Yara looked just as stunned. She grabbed the doctor, her voice sharp, derranding the answers I was t afraid to ask

"You can go in and see for yourselves," he said, giving us nothing but a cold response.

Vara didn't let go, pushing for more, but it was the assistant doctor who spoke up. "The back of his skul was severely crushed. We repaired the fracture, but the brain hemorrhaging was uncontrollable, with multiple active bleed sites. You should see him now-there's very little time left."

Vara finally released her grip on the doctor's arm.

She was trying to stay composed, but her body shook as she took a step forward. Then she stopped, she'd remembered something, and turned back to help me stand, leading me into the room.

The bright lights inside were blinding, almost painful to my eyes.

Hayden was lying there in a surgical gown, an oxygen mask over his face, and his head wrapped in bandages.

I couldn't bring myself to move closer.

It was Yara who spoke up. "Say what you need to say, because... you might not get another chance."

Her strength was unreal-she had already accepted the fact that Hayden's surgery had failed.

She guided me to his bedside. I looked down at him. Hayden's eyes were closed, his face still, like he was just sleeping.

Before, I used to love watching him sleep-his calm, handsome face, the way I could be bold and fearless with him. But now, seeing him like this, all I f

was terror.

"Hayden," Yara whispered, her voice breaking.

Hayden stayed still, and fear gripped me. I couldn't bring myself to reach for his hand.

"Hayden, wake up. Keira's here," Yara called again.

This time, I saw his eyelids flicker, then slowly open. His eyes focused for a few seconds, then locked onto mine. There was no coldness, no distance, no indifference. His eyes were filled with the kind of tenderness I thought I'd lost forever.

And just like that, the dam inside me broke. Tears rushed down my face, unstoppable. I wanted to say something-anything-but my throat was tight. I couldn't get the words out.

Then his hand touched my face. My sobs tore through me, louder, rawer than before.

His touch was so warm and gentle as he wiped my tears away, just like he used to, like everything was going to be okay.

But it wasn't. It was all slipping away.

"Keira, don't just cry," Yara reminded me.

I didn't want to cry, but I couldn't stop it Swallowing the lump in my throat, clung to Hayden's hand-the

cheek-and one still brushing against my cheek and blurted. "Hayden, you jerk

Vara froze, her eves wide, like she couldn't believe nd just dropped that in the middle of all this

But then, Ryden smiled it was the kind of smile that made everything feel bright was waking up again

ke the world is

His eyelashes fluttered. Ike he wanted to say something but his los couldn't quite move

Panic took over, and I clung to his hand, pressing it harder against my cheek. "You're a man-you don't break promises. You said we'd have a wedding. You said we'd build a house together. You can't leave me without giving me that. Get up Take me with you "Hayden, wake up. Please wake up and hold me. I miss your arms so much...

"Hayden, just say something. Anything...

Yara chimed in, "Hayden, you want to take off the oxygen mask?"

His eyes closed, then flickered open again. Yara glanced at me, then gently removed the mask from his face. His mouth parted just a little.

"Come closer to him," Vara urged me.

I leaned in my cheek brushing his, and his lips grazed my ear. "No don't go to the Johnstons

I pressed closer, desperate to hear him, but the rest of his sentence faded away.

Chapter 615

I tried to move closer, but just as I did, Yara let out a choked sob. "Hayden."

It felt like my heart had been ripped out Slowly, I lifted my head to look at him. His eyes were half-closed now, no longer fluttering. The hand that had been resting by the bed hung limp at his side. "Hayden," I whispered.

But he didn't respond.

I shook my head, disbelief crashing over me. I cupped his face, frantic. "Hayden, please. You haven't finished talking-just say something. Please!"

The words caught in my throat, choking me. I leaned in, kissing him everywhere-his nose, his eyes, his cheeks, his lips-desperately trying to wake him,

But he didn't move.

"ever

He wasn't going to say, "Kiki, stop it," ever again.

"Hayden, don't leave me. You're all I have left," I screamed.

The emptiness inside me was unbearable, swallowing me whole.

This was worse than losing my parents. Back then, I was too young to fully get it-but now? Losing Hayden was like being dragged underwater, suffocating, helpless. *There'd never be anyone like him again. You think about them, but they're just... gone. Out of reach, not

matter how hard you try.

I shook him, desperate, but all I could do was cry.

My tears dripped onto his face, sliding down his cheeks, like they were his.

And then everything went dark.

When

I woke

up, I was alone in a cold hospital bed. The room was empty, and the only thing piercing the silence was the blinding white light coming through the window. Memories of the night before flooded me-flashes of Hayden's face, so vivid, so real..

Pain coursed through me, my body convulsing as if my muscles had been torn apart. The agony was so intense, I could barely breathe.

"Rea, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick?"

Jace's voice broke through, panicked.

Then Steve's voice, "Rea... Rea"

Both voices were so familiar, but neither one was the one I wanted to hear.

I just wanted Hayden to call me "Kiki" one more time.

Jace and Steve called the doctor, who came in and lifted the blanket, checking me over. "How are you feeling? Any pain?"

I didn't answer. The doctor gave me a look, then turned to Jace and Steve. "She's probably still in shock Just stay with her and keep her calm." When the doctor left, they stayed by my bed-Jace on one side, Steve on the other. Neither of them spoke. They just stood there while I curled up.

It was the only way I could keep myself together-keep holding on to something.

"Rea," Jace finally broke the silence. "Hayden's gone. He loved you so much, and I know he wouldn't want you to hurt like this."

Hearing those words-"he loved you so much"-felt like a knife to my chest. My tears came before I could stop them, spilling over, unstoppable

Yes, he loved me so much. But I hadn't truly understood how much until Yara told me the truth. And maybe, if this was how it was going to end, she shouldn't have told me why Hayden broke up me. Maybe if I hadn't known, I wouldn't be breaking like this. with

"Rea," Steve said gently, his voice heavy with sadness. "Death comes for all of us eventually. Hayden just left a little earlier than the rest of us

They were trying to help, but none of their words could ease the pain. They didn't get it. They couldn't. I shut my eyes, taking a shaky breath. My voice was barely a whisper. "Where is he now?"

I didn't want to cry anymore. Didn't want to scream. I just needed to see him, to be near him. Just a little longer "Quietly

Hello 616

Hello 616

Neither Jace nor Steve said a word. They just stared of me.

I lifted my head slowly and asked in a daze, "You don't know?"

I tried to sit up. "Then I'll go find him."

"Rea." Steve pressed me back down. His eyes were red.

I blinked. "What's wrong?"

Jace's voice soft. "Hayden's already gone."

I nodded, "I know..." I forced a weak smile. "I know he's gone... that's why I need to go be with him."

Steve's grip on my hand tightened-hard, almost painful. I looked at him. "You're hurting me."

"Rea..." His voice was rough. "You won't see him again,

I stared at him, something inside me twisting, clawing, breaking. But I shoved it back down. "I can. Just let me go.

"Rea," Steve said again, his voice desperate.

But I couldn't stop. I pushed harder against his grip. "Let me go."

That raw, desperate need bubbled over, burning in my chest. I had to see him. If I didn't, I'd lose what little was left of me.

"You can't see him," Jace snapped suddenly. He hesitated, then added, "He's already... been cremated."

I froze.

I stared at Jace, my mouth opening and closing, struggling to make sense of his words.

"Jace!" Steve's hand tightened on my shoulder. "Rea, you... you need to calm down."

I turned to Steve, frantic, my eyes pleading with him. "What he said isn't... isn't true, right?"

Steve's red-rimmed eyes filled with sorrow. "Rea, if you need to cry... just let it out."

But I couldn't cry. If I cried, it meant I accepted it. And I wouldn't.

My eyes widened. Without thinking, I shoved him away.

"No! You're lying! You're all lying! I don't believe you!"

I tried to get up and run, but Steve grabbed me again, his grip unrelenting. I thrashed, fought, clawed at him, but he wouldn't let go.

The suffocating panic took over. I lashed out, punching him, but it didn't matter. He didn't budge.

In a final, desperate move, I bit him-hard.

Steve didn't even flinch. He just held me.

Eventually, I ran out of strength. My teeth loosened, my hands trembled, and I slumped against him, my

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fingers still clutching his arm. "Please don't be so cruel... Please don't do this..."

"You have to accept it. Jace said again,

How could I accept this?

Hayden, the man who was so alive just hours ago-holding me, dodging freaking balls from Bruno's men, his breath warm on my skin, his heartbeat pounding in my ears-how could he just be gone? I turned to Steve, desperate. "Take me to him"

I couldn't hear another word from Jace. His words were too final, too devastating, shattering the last bit of hope I had left.

Steve glanced at Jace, and I jerked him. "Steve..."

He nodded. "Alright, I'll take you."

He helped me to my feet, and we started moving. I didn't even know where we were going I just followed.

I wanted to believe Jace was wrong, but deep down, I knew. He wasn't lying.

With every step, my chest grew heavier.

Then I saw it. A sign. One word.

It stopped me cold.

"Do you still want to go?" Steve asked quietly, like he could feel the shift inside me.

Yes, I did.

I had to see him. One last time.

Even if all that was left... was a handful of ashes.

Chapter 617

Steve steadied me as I took a shaky step forward.

We reached the door just as someone walked out, cradling a small black box in their arms. Their face was etched with grief, and 1 froze. My breath caught in my throat. My gaze locked on that box.

Steve's grip on my hand tightened, grounding me, keeping me from falling apart then and there. He guided

me inside.

And that's when I saw her.

Yara stood in the middle of the room, her back to us. She was stiff, unmoving, her entire frame radiating the kind of despair that mirrored the storm inside me.

I stopped dead. My legs refused to move.

Steve froze beside me. Neither of us said a word.

Yara must have sensed us, because she turned slowly. Her hands cradled the same black box, and sight of it sent everything spinning. My vision blurred, my knees buckled.

the

She walked toward me. "This is what Hayden wanted. He said for you to take him back. To bury him in that place you both loved."

I stared at the box, but I wasn't really seeing it. My mind drifted to that place. I could almost hear his voice, almost feel his hand in mine.

He'd broken his promise. He swore he'd stay.

And now, he wanted me to bury him there?

Was this his final act? To make me suffer even now?

"Why didn't you wait for me?" The words slipped out.

I couldn't accept it. The person who had held me just hours ago was now reduced to this-this small, cold

box

"He didn't want you to face that cruel moment," Yara said quietly.

I stared at her blank face-no tears, no emotion.

"Hayden broke up with you to protect you," she continued, her gaze dropping to the box in her hands. "He was afraid that if you ever had to face this, you'd hate him. He thought it might hurt a little less this way." "He knew this day would come?" My voice cracked.

"When he stepped back onto Houston, he knew," Yara replied. Her words were ice in my veins.

Houston

He'd come back because of Steve's mess. Because of me.

Jace had said it was all part of a conspiracy. And now, it all clicked. Hayden had known the truth-known Chapter 617

It was a trap. But he still walked straight into it.

And for what?

For me?

No. I couldn't believe that, I wouldn't.

I wasn't the reason. I was just the bait. And Steve... he'd been pulled into it, too.

My mind raced, clawing for the fragments of Hayden'tst words. His warning: "Don't go to the Johnstons. What did he mean?

The urgency in his voice wasn't random. He'd known something-something about Wayne Johnston?

A chill ran through me as Wayne's diary flashed in my mind. The secrets, the lies, the plans... It all pointed back to him.

If Wayne had orchestrated this, he wasn't just cruel-he was a monster.

I would make him pay for this.

But no matter what I did, it wouldn't bring Hayden back

My eyes locked on the black box again-Hayden-tall, strong live-reduced to this. The

blade twisting deeper into my chest.

I hated it. All of it. I couldn't accept it. But I was helpless.

thought felt like at

"Why didn't you stop him? You knew he was in danger snapped, my grief and fury exploding at Yara.

"If I could have stopped him, he wouldn't have loved you."

Her words slammed into me, and I hated how much they made sense.

She had loved Hayden. But he had only ever loved me

And his love for me had killed him.

"Hayden... let's go home," I whispered, taking the black box from her hands.

The moment I held it, the weight hit me-not heavy, but unbearable, like the world was caving in around

1. me.

Chapter 618

1 brought Hayden back to Kahmark

One evening as the sun melted into the horizon,

of growing old together

I

But I couldn't leave not yet I stayed, keeping him company, pretending he was still there

When I was a kid, I overheard my mom talking about how a person's sou dont just vanish after they

I die. She said it lingers for a while, staying close to the people it loved-especially for the first the something days

I didn't know if it was true, but I clung to the thought. I didn't want Hayden's soul to feel alone so stayed Watched over him until I felt like he was truly gone. Only then did I let myself think about leaving During those days, I cut myself off from the world. My phone stayed off I lived like Yuna used to-reading books, picking wildflowers, brewing tea from petals, and painting

I painted Hayden, again and again. Every stroke reminded me of the portraits Wayne had made of me hidden in that house.

Moming and night, I talked to Hayden like he could still hear me

"Hayden, show up in my dreams tonight, okay? Say the stuff you never got to say

"Hayden, I miss you so much. I keep wanting to hold you, but you're just gone. It hurts so bad sometimes, I wonder if I should follow you, just to make it stop." "Hayden, I found this little bird today. It was all alone. I tried to feed it. Maybe I can save it."

"Hayden..."

I said everything I needed to, hoping for an answer. But no one ever replied.

Well... sometimes, it felt like there was a response.

When I sat by his side, the wind would brush against my face. Soft, warm-just like his touch.

The days blurred together, marked only by the quiet rhythm of sunrises and sunsets. On the 35th day after his death, I brought fresh flowers to his grave.

"Hayden, is this it? Is today the last day you're here? Will you be gone tomorrow?

My voice shook, but I kept going. "I'll be leaving soon, too. I'll go back to work, back to normal life. And.... I'll face the people I need to face." I hesitated, then added. "And I'll come after the ones who did this to you."

As I spoke, a soft breeze passed by, lifting a strand of my hair and brushing it across my face. It even grazed my lips.

Tears spilled over before I could stop them. In the month since Hayden's death, I'd barely cried. Only in those quiet, unbearable moments when I missed him so much it felt like my chest might cave in.

But now, I reached for that strand of hair. "Hayden... is that you? You're here, aren't you?"

The wind picked up again, ready and gente le an aper

That night, I stayed longer, unwilling to leave When ally Self added dreamed of ant

The door creaked open and his voice, soft and steady called out to me cu lu

My eyes flew open. The moment save him, I wrapped thy arms around fine herding in tight stame

him,

He ran a hand through my hair. "Don't stay here alone Go back be happy, Kik. Live for me tos

-

He said more, but it blurred in my memory. I just held onto him like I'd never be the sunlight pierced through my eyelids and dragged me awakke

When I opened my eyes, he was gone

The pillow in my arms was soaked with tears.

It was just a dream. A heartbreakingly beautiful dream

But it was enough.

The Hayden in my dream had felt so real.

As the sun rose, I smiled.

I left, carrying his hope with me.

When the plane landed in Seavora, I didn't go straight home. Instead, I headed to Lena's.

She was in surgery again, but I wasn't in a rush. I waited in her lounge, flipping through her medical books to pass the time.

Hello 619

Hello 619

For someone like me reading medical feks was no je But somehow, tot aan Made the of the past month had shifted something in me, grounding me in ways i didn't wa

When Lona walked in, she stopped for a second Then he came night over and tapped me tags! Welcome back

She was the only person I'd told about Hayson's death and the only one who knew where to ban his ashes Leaning into her, I caught the faint smell of disinfecta

"I want a feast," I said.

"Say no more! I'll make it happen." Her voice had that slightly stuffy, emotional edge

She'd probably been waiting for me to crawl out of my dark hole.

And I was finally doing it.

Hayden was gone. But I was still here, and there was life waiting for me to live.

At the restaurant, I took a bite of my food and asked casually, "Have you seen Jace lately?"

"Seen him?" Lena snorted. "Try every day. He's been in the hospital this whole time-ever since, you know, the crocodile bite."

I frowned. It had been over a month-surely he should've recovered by now. "He's still being treated?" "Yeah, there's this one wound that won't heal. The tissue keeps breaking down, and they've had to scrape it out a few times," she said, making my appetite waver The image of Jace being bitten flashed through my mind. "It's that bad?"

Lena gave me a cautious look. "Want to go see him?"

"Of course. He got bitten because of me," I said, taking a sip of juice to steady myself.

Lena sliced off a piece of meat and dropped it onto my plate. "Eat more. You've lost so much weight this. past month."

"Have 17 I've been eating three proper meals a day." I said honestly. I wasn't lying-I had been eating and sleeping regularly.

"Then it must be the heartbreak," she teased, smirking

They say women are mirrors. Looking at Lena's radiant complexion, I couldn't help but tease back. "You're glowing yourself. Nate must be treating you right."

She shrugged, trying to downplay it. "It's alright. He's always busy, and I've got my own stuff. When he's free, I'm in surgery. When I'm free, he's halfway across the world doing a lecture."

Her tone said one thing, but the smile creeping onto her face said something else. This must be what

12

people muran by. If it's real, distance doesn't

matter

"What about you?" she asked, her voice turning cry Wit's pot that we back to my

She didn't have to finish. We both knew work had beery whole ide try yours

"Of course, I'm going back What else am gonna dy

word opus ma

"It's not like you can't afford it," Lens teased, reminding

of the forure to way wom

The amusement park, the money Dad left me, and the fund then the hed Technically, I could retire now and live comfortably forever

"But lounging around isn't my style," I said with a gon Worston-ge to lay we queues, mate even spark a little workplace romance.

Lena froze for a second, then burst out laughing She raised her dose eyes twinking wet pour workplace romance!"

I grabbed my juice to clink glasses, but something-or someone-yepage we could see

A man was walking down the stairs from the second floor His outfe was casual, nothing fasty, but there was no hiding his aristocratic vibe. The kind of presence that filled a room without trying "What are you staring at? Lena asked, noticing my sudden stiliness

"Lena," I said quietly, my grin fading if1 see someone here today-a very familiar face-do you think it's just coincidence? Or something planned?"

Her smile dimmed as she followed my gaze

"If it's him," she said, her voice low, then it's definitely planced"

And as if on cue, the man turned his head and locked eyes with me

Chapter 620

"Rea, you're back?" Wayne's voice carried a mix of surprise and excitement as his eyes met mine.

"Yeah, just got back today." I replied, putting extra weight on today."

Lena didn't miss a beat. "Just got back and already bumped into you? What are the odds?" Her tone was all innocent charm, but the undertone was sharp enough to slice through Wayne's polished demeanor. He gave a quick nod toward the upper level. "Some high school friends organized a get-together here a few days ago.

Before I could respond, someone called out to him. "Wayne, we're heading out!"

He waved toward the group but lingered, glancing back at our table. "Do you two need anything else?" His tone was casual, but the offer was clear-he was ready to cover the bill.

Lena beat me to it, flashing a polite smile. "Already paid through my phone. Thanks, though,

Wayne's focus shifted back to me. "Rea, after you've had time to settle, come over for dinner. My parents have been asking about you."

"Let me treat you to dinner instead," I said, pausing just long enough to add, "And thanks for handling things in Houston."

I watched his face carefully, searching for even the smallest crack in his composure. But his expression stayed smooth. "Alright," he said simply.

With a nod to Lena, he turned and walked off. Through the glass, I tracked him as he climbed into his car and drove away.

non

Lena tapped my foot under the table, snapping my attention back. "What's going on? Is he still hung up you?"

I stared at the steaming soup, swirling my spoon in the broth. "I think Wayne's the one behind all of this."

Her jaw dropped. "What?"

"What I'm about to do might sound insane, but don't be shocked."

I told Lena everything I'd uncovered in Houston.

She inhaled sharply. "Crazy how? You're not seriously thinking about getting close to Wayne to dig for answers, are you?"

My

eyes drifted, unfocused. "I can't let Hayden's death be meaningless."

Hayden was k

killed by Bruno, but Bruno was just a pawn. The real enemy was the one pulling the strings- the person who wanted Hayden dead and orchestrated it all.

"Hayden wouldn't want you risking your life for this," Lena said. Then she hesitated. "And... what about Jace? He's your ex. If you get involved with his brother, what's that gonna do to him?"

I didn't answer. I didn't need to. Lena could see the determination in my silence. She reached over and gripped my hand tightly. "Fine. Do what you have to. If it comes to it, I'll hand you the knife myself."

1/2

Her words hit me harder than I expected, making my throat lighten. It wasn't easy to find a friend like -someone who'd stick with me, no matter how reckless or irrational my choices seerind MARA

Later, when I went to see Jace, I arrived just as they were changing his dressing. The scene was brutal With no way to numb the pain, he had a towel shoved in his mouth to muffle the sounds, while three nurses worked meticulously to scrape away the dead tissue, The smell of blood and decay hung thick in the air.

Once, I would've been sick just watching. But now? Nothing. I'd become numb to it all.

When the nurses finished and left, Jace lay there, his face pale, his hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. He looked like he'd been through hell-and back again.

I pulled up a chair beside his bed, my gaze falling on the freshly bandaged wound. "You've been dealing with this for a month?"

At the sound of my voice, his eyes shot open. For a second, disbelief flickered across his face. His lips moved like he wanted to speak, but no sound came out.

He looked so thin now, the weight of pain and exhaustion etched into every line of his face. The Jace I used to know-strong, confident-felt like a shadow of the man lying in front of me.

"Why are you still here when the wound isn't healing?" asked, pressing him harder. "Why not transfer to another hospital? Or go for better treatment?"

"I'm fine," Jace muttered, brushing me off like it was no big deal.

I wasn't buying it. "I already know," I said bluntly. "The wound won't heal because of the toxins and bacteria from the crocodile's teeth. It keeps festering, and if this continues, they're going to have to amputate." Lena had filled me in before I came.

Jace's injury was my fault, and I couldn't shake the responsibility. I had to convince him to get the treatment he needed.