Ch. 621..630

Chapter 621

If Jace actually lost his arm over this, I'd owe him big tame-like, a lifetime of "owe you "But honestly f didn't want to get tangled up with him any further. All could do was try to talk some sense into him

"It's not that bad," he muttered, clearly lying through his teeth His face was so pale. A few more treatments, and I'll be good as new

Uh-huh, Sure. But since he looked like he was about to pass out, I held back my argument.

Instead, he glanced at me and said, "Now that you're back, I feel like I'll heal faster

I understood the meaning behind his words, but he quickly switched gears like it was nothing "Steve's been asking about you, by the way. If I hadn't stopped him, he probably would've filed a missing person's report Cutting everyone off for a few days had definitely caused a ripple effect.

"Is he coming by today?" I asked, rolling with the topic change.

"Don't know. Let me check." He started to grab his phone, but the moment he moved, pain shot across his face, and he froze like a glitching robot.

Without thinking, I grabbed his bandaged arm to steady him. "Relax, you don't need to call him. I'm back He'll find me sooner or later."

Jace didn't say anything. Maybe it was the pain-or maybe it was something else. I couldn't tell

"Want me to call the doctor?" I asked.

He shook his head and licked his dry lips. "Just... get me some water."

I handed him the glass, and he took a couple of slow sips. Some of the tension on his face mated an

as the pain dulled.

"Has come to see you recently?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Wayne "Twice."

"I ran into him yesterday," I said, watching his reaction. "At the restaurant," I added.

"Hmm." That was all he said.

I let out a small laugh.

Wayne and I sure have a knack for running into each other."

Jace wasn't buying it. "Rea, if you've got something to say, just spit it out."

I hesitated, then glanced at his injured arm. "Did you know Wayne can draw?"

His eyebrows knit together. "What? No. I've never seen him do that."

"He's crazy good-like, better-than-most-people good. His paintings are so lifelike, they might as well be photos," I said, hyping it up just a little. But seriously, Wayne was insanely talented.

Jace didn't say a word, so I kept going. "Now, imagine someone filling an entire room with drawings of

you Every veraden of you from when they were ten twenty four What kind of ferdings do you think it taken to do something like that?"

The realization hit him hard, and it showed "Rea, your not

"I want to try opening my heart to someone else," I said, cutting him off

Jace froze. His hand trembled, and the glass tipped, spilling water all over the floor.

"No," he said sharply, his tone somewhere between shocked and furious. "I don't agree with this."

Compared to his total meltdown, I stayed calm. "Wayne's love for me runs deeper and longer than yours ever did....

"Rea, is this because of Hayden? Are you heartbroken? Grieving? There are other ways to deal with it-you don't have to just... throw yourself at Wayne like this," he stammered.

"We've known each other just as long as you and I have. This isn't some random, impulsive decision," 1 said softly

His tone hardened. "No. Absolutely not. Rea, you can't be with Wayne."

I didn't bother answering. But Jace? He looked like he was unraveling by the second. He sat there clutching the glass like it was the only thing tethering him to reality, his knuckles white as he debated whether to put it down or hold on.

"This isn't about me, is it?" he blurted, his words tumbling out. "You blame me for what happened to Hayden, don't you? If you're mad, just say it-yell at me, curse me, do whatever you need to. But don't-" His voice cracked, lower this time. "Don't punish yourself like this. Don't..."

Jace never rambled. Ever. And yet, here he was, unraveling in real time.

He'd been the one to tip me off about the mastermind behind everything. He must've known it was Wayn all along.

I kept my voice low but sharp. "You've always known the mastermind, haven't you?"

 

Chapter 622

Jace's gaze darkened, and i gave him a faint smile "Even if you don't say it, I already know who it is."

"And who do you think it is?" he asked, calm but clearly trying to gauge my reaction.

I met his eyes and didn't answer.

Jace shifted, sitting up straighter-like he was actually about to climb out of bed, injury be damned. "You don't think it's Wayne, do you? Are you seriously planning to be with him just to get back at me or... avenge Hayden?" Of course, after years of dating me, he could still read my mind like a book.

"If it's not him, then tell me who it is," I shot back.

"Rea, it's not Wayne. How could you even think that? But honestly..." Jace said, shifting his stance. "I don't know who it is, either. Back then, I just... guessed there had to be someone pulling the strings."

I stayed calm, my tone light but deliberate. "If it's not him, even better. At least I won't feel any quilt about being with him."

Jace froze. "Rea..."

I exhaled slowly. "Jace, we've known each other for ten years. We were together for four. Then I fell in love with Hayden.

"I've been through it all-the joy of unrequited love turning mutual and the rush of love at first sight. But honestly? Love is exhausting. I'm tired of being the one who loves more.

"I want to try being with someone who loves me more this time."

Jace's expression hardened. "Fine," he said, his voice sharp. "If that's what you want, go ahead-but it absolutely cannot be Wayne."

I chuckled softly. "And why not? Give me one good reason."

He stiffened, like someone had just electrocuted him. "You already know the reason, Rea. Do you really need me to say it?

"He's my brother. You're my ex-fiancée. If you two get together, what does that make me? What will people think of my family?

"How am I supposed to face you-or myself?"

I let the silence hang for two beats, meeting his gaze head-on. "So, what? I'm supposed to sacrifice my happiness just to protect your pride and reputation?" That shut him up.

I watched him for a moment, then softened my tone. "I'm telling you this now so you have time to process it. That's all."

Jace's voice cracked as he spoke. "Then can't you pity me, just this once? Don't be with him. Anyone else would be fine, but not Wayne."

1/2

"Someone else?" I let out a quiet laugh. "Alright then tell me. Who should i choose?

Silence. Of course, he had nothing.

I glanced at his injured arm before standing. "Take care of yourself, Jace Focus on healing

"Rea." His voice stopped me in my tracks. I felt his hand grab my wrist just as I turned to leave What about me? Could you... reconsider me?"

His eyes locked onto mine. "I admit I made a lot of mistakes. I've paid for them, but you know I still love you. I always have. I'd give my life for you, Rea."

He paused, his voice dipping lower, almost vulnerable. "You said you want someone who loves you ence Then let me be that person. You don't even have to love me back. You can keep loving Hayden if that's what you need."

The humility in his voice was startling. This wasn't the Jace I knew-he'd stripped away every last bit of pride.

"Rea," he whispered, pressing his forehead to the back of my hand, just give me one more chance fen begging you."

I looked out the window instead of at him. "But you're not exciting to me anymore

The words hit like a sledgehammer. Harsh? Maybe, Cruel? Definitely. But it was the truth.

Wasn't it excitement that made him cheated with Tanya behind my back? A craving for something new?

thrill?

I didn't wait to see his reaction. I only felt his grip on my wrist slowly loosen until his hand fell away entirely.

I didn't say anything else. As I turned to leave, I glanced back at Jace. He was slumped in the chair, looking completely wrecked, like all the fight had drained out of him. Leaving the hospital behind, I headed back to the office

Maybe it was because I'd been gone so long-or maybe it was just me-but something felt. off. The place seemed heavier, like someone had hit the dimmer switch on the usual buzz When I stepped into my office, everything was exactly as I'd left it: neat, spotless, like a productivity shrine. Someone had clearly been keeping it all together in my absence. "Ms. Kay, your vacation's over?"

I glanced up to see one of the new hires poking her head in. Fresh out of college, she still had that wide-eyed look, like every thought was written all over her face "Yeah," I said with a smirk. "Miss me already?"

Chapter 622

 

Jace's gaze darkened, and I gave him a faint smile. "Even if you don't say it, I already know who it is." "And who do you think it is?" he asked, calm but clearly trying to gauge my reaction.

I met his eyes and didn't answer.

Jace shifted, sitting up straighter-like he was actually about to climb out of bed, injury be damned. "You don't think it's Wayne, do you? Are you seriously planning to be with him just to get back at me or... avenge Hayden?" Of course, after years of dating me, he could still read my mind like a book.

"If it's not him, then tell me who it is," I shot back.

"Rea, it's not Wayne. How could you even think that? But honestly..." Jace said, shifting his stance. "I don't know who it is, either. Back then, I just... guessed there had to be someone pulling the strings."

I stayed calm, my tone light being with him."

but deliberate. "If it's not him, even better. At least I won't feel any quilt about

Jace froze. "Rea..."

I exhaled slowly. "Jace, we've known each other for ten years. We were together for four. Then I fell in love with Hayden.

"I've been through it all-the joy of unrequited love turning mutual and the rush of love at first sight. But honestly? Love is exhausting. I'm tired of being the one who loves more.

"I want to try being with someone who loves me more this time."

Jace's expression hardened. "Fine," he said, his voice sharp. "If that's what you want, go ahead-but it absolutely cannot be Wayne."

I chuckled softly. "And why not? Give me one good reason."

He stiffened, like someone had just electrocuted him. You already know the reason, Rea. Do you really need me to say it?

"He's my brother. You're my ex-fiancée. If you two get together, what does that make me? What will people think of my family?

"How am I supposed to face you-or myself?"

I let the silence hang for two beats, meeting his gaze head-on. "So, what? I'm supposed to sacrifice my happiness just to protect your pride and reputation?" That shut him up.

I watched him for a moment, then softened my tone. "I'm telling you this now so you have time to process It That's all.

Jace's voice cracked as he spoke. "Then can't you pity me, just this once? Dook

would be fine, but not Wayne."

be with him. Anyone else

1/2

 

"Someone else? I let out a quiet laugh. "Alright then-tell me. Who should I choose?"

Silence. Of course, he had nothing.

I glanced at his injured arm before standing. "Take care of yourself, Jace. Focus on healing.

"Rea." His voice stopped me in my tracks. I felt his hand grab my wrist just as I turned to leave. "What about me? Could you... reconsider me?"

His eyes locked onto mine. "I admit I made a lot of mistakes. I've paid for them, but you know I still love you. I always have. I'd give my life for you, Rea."

He paused, his voice dipping lower, almost vulnerable. "You said you want someone who loves you more. Then let me be that person. You don't even have to love me back. You can keep loving Hayden if that's what you need." The humility in his voice was startling. This wasn't the Jace I knew-he'd stripped away every last bit of pride

"Rea," he whispered, pressing his forehead to the back of my hand, "just give me one more chance. I'm begging you."

I looked out the window instead of at him. "But you're not exciting to me anymore."

The words hit like a sledgehammer. Harsh? Maybe. Crüel? Definitely. But it was the truth.

Wasn't it excitement that made him cheated with Tanya behind my back? A craving for something new? A

thrill?

I didn't wait to see his reaction. I only felt his grip on my wrist slowly loosen until his hand fell away entirely.

I didn't say anything else. As I turned to leave, I glanced back at Jace. He was slumped in the chair, looking completely wrecked, like all the fight had drained out of him. Leaving the hospital behind, I headed back to the office.

Maybe it was because I'd been gone so long-or maybe it was just me-but something felt... off. The place seemed heavier, like someone had hit the dimmer switch on the usual buzz. When I stepped into my office, everything was exactly as I'd left it: neat, spotless, like a productivity shrine. Someone had clearly been keeping it all together in my absence. ""Ms. Kay, your vacation's over?"

I glanced up to see one of the new hires poking her head in. Fresh out of college, she still had that wide-eyed look, like every thought was written all over her face. ""Yeah," I said with a smirk. "Miss me already?"

Chapter 623

"Obviously! Missed you treating us to lunch, too," she shot back, bold as anything.

"Done. Let everyone know-dinner's on me tonight at SeaView Dining," I said, not even pausing to think. "Wait-seriously?" Her eyes went wide. Cute.

"Dead serious," I said, giving her a nod.

"Yay!" she squealed, doing a little bounce before running off.

I couldn't help but smile. Somehow, her energy seemed to lift the whole office. The vibe felt lighter already.

After dropping my bag on my desk and taking a quick look around, I decided to swing by Ron's office. "Come in!"

I opened the door to find Ron practically buried under a mountain of paperwork. He didn't even glance up to see who had entered.

I walked closer, noticing the stacks of documents-most of them from my department.

It didn't take a genius to figure out what had been going on. My peaceful break? Yeah, that had been courtesy of Ron's hard work. "You've been running yourself ragged. Why not hire someone else to help out?" I

asked.

Ron froze mid-signature, his pen hovering over the paper. When he looked up, his surprise was clear.

For a second, he just stared, then he shot to his feet. "Oh my god, you're back! I thought you-"

He cut himself off, but I knew what he meant. He didn't think I'd come back.

If he really thought that, then why hadn't he hired anyone? Was he waiting for me to quit officially?

1/3

 

"So, are you letting me back, or...?" I asked, getting straight to the point.

"Of course! What else would you do? Quit? No chance. I wouldn't approve it anyway," he said, flashing a sly grin. "Besides, your contract says you can't resign until you've worked at least a year." Wait-what? That was in the contract? How did I miss that?

"Sounds a little predatory," I teased.

"But you signed it," Ron shot back with a playful smirk. "So, technically, you agreed to be 'predated.""

He didn't look the least bit sad.

Maybe he didn't know about Hayden's passing.

If he didn't, that was probably for the best. Knowing wouldn't do anything but add to the grief.

Yara once told me Hayden had confided in her. He said the only family he had was Yuna, and if anything ever happened to him, she was to keep it from his sister. No need to tell anyone else either-because, in his words, no one would

care..

It had been over a month since he died. Surely Ron noticed he'd been gone this

whole time.

But now, standing here, he hadn't even mentioned him.

Maybe Hayden was right. No one really cared about anyone.

Then Ron frowned, like something had just clicked. "Wait-you're back, but where's Hayden? Holed up in that studio of his again?"

I stared at him, my throat tightening. Finally, I said, "He's not coming back. Not

ever."

The smile froze on Ron's face, his lips trembling. "W-What do you mean? He's leaving? But this is his company. He wouldn't just-" And there it was, unspoken until now. This was Hayden's company.

The favoritism, the special treatment-it all made sense.

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Chapter 623

 

"Mr. Shane," I said, keeping my voice steady, "Hayden's gone. He passed away over a month ago."

The words hit like a thunderclap, and Ron just... froze.

Chapter 624

They say men don't cry easily, especially not in front of women.

But I saw it with my own eyes-Ron's face crumpling, his reddened eyes filling with tears until they spilled down his cheeks..

I didn't try to comfort him. I just walked out, leaving him to grieve Hayden in his

own way.

Ron had said this company belonged to Hayden, though

on paper, Ron was the official owner. That said everything about their bond. Hayden had trusted him enough to put everything in his hands.

And now Hayden was gone. How was Ron, who'd clearly been waiting for him to come back, supposed to accept that?

The pain he felt couldn't be much different from my own.

I left his office and headed to Hayden's workspace. As a chief engineer, Hayden had always been hands-on for R&D, so his office was packed with experimental * tools and equipment. Yet, despite all the chaos of his work, the room was immaculate, every item in its place-so very him.

My gaze landed on the notebook on his desk, left open to a page of data. His handwriting, bold and precise, stood out like he'd just written it yesterday.

The ache in my chest came rushing back, sharp and relentless.

Everything about Hayden-his office, his tools, even the faint trace of his scent still lingering-was him. And yet, no matter how much I tried to reach for him, he wasn't there.

That hollow ache was something only those who'd lost someone could really understand.

I ended up sitting at his desk, pulling open a drawer. Inside, I found the usual stuff-pens, USB drives, notebooks, Bluetooth headphones. Then my eyes caught on a transparent box with something inside. Curious, I opened it and pulled out its contents.

It was a bracelet.

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The material was strange-nothing like gold or silver. It didn't even have a clasp, which made me think it had broken off. I dug around the box, looking for the missing piece, and found a few other unfinished parts. There was also a folded piece of paper tucked inside. When I opened it, I found a design blueprint for the bracelet. It included a drawing of the clasp-and a tiny pendant shaped like a bell. The bell had my nickname engraved on it: Kiki.

It hit me like a wave. This bracelet had been meant for me. Hayden had been working on it, but he never got the chance to finish.

Yara once told me Hayden broke up with me to protect me. Now, this little bell proved it. Even after pushing me away, I had still been in his heart. Why else would he have made this bracelet for me?

I gave the bell a gentle shake. Its chime was soft and clear, almost like it was speaking for him. Following the blueprint, I started piecing together the unfinished bracelet.

But no matter how carefully I worked, I couldn't complete it. The clasp was missing.

Hayden must've never finished making it before... before the incident that took

his life.

Still, I couldn't leave the bracelet sitting in a box. It was meant for me, and I was going to wear it...

If the clasp wasn't there, I'd make my own

Just like Hayden, I'd figure it out.

When Ron found me, I had just finished fastening the bracelet with a braided red cord I'd crafted into a makeshift clasp. It now rested snugly on my wrist.

The bell jingled softly with every little movement, its sound sweet and pure.

"Did you get that from Hayden's workspace?" Ron asked, his voice rough, his eyes still a little puffy. He was staring at the bracelet.

He knew it was Hayden's work.

2/3

 

"Yeah," I said, nodding. "I found it in his drawer. It's a shame he didn't get to finish it." I raised my wrist, the bell chiming softly. "But I managed to put it together." "This material isn't ordinary," Ron said, his tone shifting. "Hayden made it himself from light-resistant compounds.

"He told me it's practically indestructible-resistant to melting, breaking, anything.

"He said it could last a hundred years, something you'd pass down through generations."

I blinked, caught off guard.

My gaze dropped to the bracelet. No wonder it felt so different, so... special.

As I traced the smooth surface of the material, lost in thought, Ron sighed deeply. "You're not lying to me, are you?"

My head snapped up. "What?"

"I don't believe Hayden is gone," he said. "He was too capable. Do you know how many peacekeeping missions he was part of back in the day?

"He survived explosions-stuff that should've killed him a dozen times over." These were things I hadn't known about Hayden.

a

Chapter 625

 

It seemed that, aside from Yara, Ron was another person who truly knew Hayden.

At least, he knew more about the dangers Hayden had faced than I ever did.

But I wasn't ready to dig into Hayden's past struggles. Just thinking about the pain he might have endured made my chest tighten. Knowing more would only make me miss him more.

"I don't believe it," Ron said again.

I got it. Deep down, I didn't fully believe Hayden was gone either. To me, it felt like he'd just gone somewhere out of reach.

"Then let's just think of it as him taking a long trip," I said softly, shaking the little bell on my bracelet.

Its crisp, clear chime filled the silence, soothing the ache in my chest like a gentle touch.

How strange. How wonderful.

This little bell, the one Hayden left me, felt like a lifeline pulling me back from the edge.

"Let me process this, and then I'll give you something," Ron said suddenly.

""What is it?"

"You'll see when I give it to you," he replied before walking away.

I wanted to call after Ron, to say something-anything-but the look on his face. stopped me. His usual cheerful demeanor was gone, replaced by a helpless, hollow loneliness, like someone who'd lost their whole world. So, I swallowed my words.

To me, Hayden was the love of my life. Losing him felt like a piece of my soul had been ripped out. To Ron, Hayden was like a brother, his closest friend. For him, it must have been like losing a part of himself. After Ron left, I stayed in my office, absently shaking the bell on my bracelet. The

soft chimes kept me company as the hours dragged by

By noon, I left the company and headed to Demi's house. I'd tried reaching out to her yesterday after coming back, but her phone had been off, and she hadn't responded to my messages. No texts, no replies. When I asked around, I learned she'd quit her job.

With no other option, I decided to go straight to her place.

Mrs. Young opened the door. Her cautious expression was clear as she asked, "Who are you?"

"Mrs. Young. I'm Keira Kay."

She froze for a moment, then tears welled up in her eyes. "Ms. Kay..."

It made my chest tighten. Whatever was going on with Demi, it wasn't good.

As Mrs. Young led me inside, she said, "We don't even know if she's alive or dead anymore. If you know where she is, please, I beg you-convince her to come home.

If I knew where Demi was, I wouldn't have come here. But I couldn't add to Mrs. Young's worry, so I nodded. "I'll do my best to find her."

I decided to ask the question that had been haunting me. "What happened to Demi? Why would she try to take her own life? Do you know?"

Mrs. Young shook her head. "She didn't say a word to us. We've been trying to figure out what happened, too.

"Did she ever tell you anything about her boyfriend?" I pressed gently.

"No," she said, her voice breaking with frustration. "Do you know where her boyfriend is? Maybe she's with him. Please, find him!"

"I've never met her boyfriend. But I'll ask around. I'll find someone who can help me track him down."

It wasn't just pity for Mrs. Young that made me want to help-I genuinely wanted to find Demi and figure out what had happened to her.

Chapter 625

My life was a wreck right now, but if I could help Demi find her way out of the darkness, it might bring a little light back into mine. First, though, I had to find her.

In the past, I would've called Steve for something like this. But this time, I needed to rely on someone else.

I glanced down at my wrist, giving the little bell a soft shake. The sunlight caught on it, making it shimmer-a quiet reminder that its material wasn't anything ordinary. "Hayden, give me strength to avenge you, I whispered under my breath.

Without hesitating, I pulled out my phone and called Wayne.

Chapter 626

"Real" Wayne's voice sounded as warm as ever, but now it had a sharp edge, Whe a thorn pressing into my chest.

How could someone who seemed so harmless hide such ruthless obsession? He'd crushed anyone in his path without a second thought.

I swallowed back the bitterness and got straight to the point. I need your beb

"Mm, what is it?" His tone wasn't the same anymore Running Riverweve Corp Jace's place had clearly gone to his head.

Power didn't just change a person's mindset-it bled into their every move

"My former colleague Demi Young... She's working in your company. She's a good friend, but something happened, and she quit. I can't get in touch with her. I need you to help me find her." "Demi Young?" Wayne echoed, his tone thoughtful before he agreed. "Alright" "Thanks," I said, keeping my voice calm and polite, the way I always did with him.

"Rea," he said softly, my name hanging in the air before he continued, "Can we meet in person?"

"Sure. When?" I answered without missing a beat.

"Whenever it works for you." Wayne's voice was steady, just like I remembered. He'd always been like this-letting me call the shots. He never pushed his preferences or agenda, always putting me first. Looking back, I realized his love had always been there in the little things. But I'd been too wrapped up in Jace to see it.

"Tomorrow evening, then," I said, my tone firm. "You can pick me up, and we'll head to your place. It's been a while since I visited Lindey and Matthew."

There was a pause on the other end. Wayne didn't expect that.

"...Alright," he said eventually. "I'll let my parents know."

After the call ended, I toyed with the bell on my wrist, its soft chime breaking the

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chapter 420

silence. "Hayden," I murmured, "you told me to stay away from the Johnstons. but I might not listen this time.

That night, I joined my department for a dinner party. The mood was light, everyone laughing and taking turns offering me drinks.

At some point during dinner, someone asked why Hayden wasn't coming to the office anymore.

I'd told Ron about Hayden's passing, but no one else. So I kept it simple. "He took an overseas job. He won't be back anytime soon."

Saying it out loud brought that familiar ache, sharp and unrelenting. I downed another drink to dull it.

By the end of the night, I'd had too much. Ron ended up taking me home, his voice cutting through my haze as he muttered, "If Hayden were here, he'd probably chew you out for being so reckless." But he wasn't here.

My Hayden. He was gone.

The next morning, my phone rang, jolting me awake. It was Ron.

"Feeling better after last night?" he teased.

"Yeah, thanks for getting me home," I said, I'd drunk a lot, but I wasn't totally out

of it.

"Oh, so you do remember it was me? Guess you weren't as far gone as you looked. So, what did I say to you?" His tone was mischievous, clearly fishing for something.

His question tickled at the edge of my memory, but whatever it was, it stayed frustratingly out of reach.

"What did you say?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"I said... plenty of things," he replied, annoyingly vague.

Classic Ron. And honestly, if it was that important, I would've remembered,

Chapter 62

right? No point digging into it.

"So, why the early call? Don't tell me you're just checking if I'm sober. If you've got work for me, spill-I'm ready to head in" I said, glancing at the clock. Not even nine.

"Nope, no work. If you're still feeling crappy, take another day off. Honestly, whether you're here or not doesn't make much of a difference," he joked, though there was a faint bite in his words.

But I knew Ron too well to take him at face value. He was Hayden's guy through and through, and like Hayden, he'd always given me free rein. If he was calling, there had to be a reason-it wasn't just to annoy me.

I thought back to yesterday, to something he'd said in the office. "Didn't you have something for me?"

"Nope, nothing," he said, so casually it threw me off.

I frowned. Yesterday, he'd seemed serious, not at all like he was joking. And now? A total 180.

Still, I let it go. "If there's nothing, fine."

"There's nothing, I swear. Go back to sleep," he said, then hung up.

Chapter

627

I let out a weak laugh. Ron wasn't the type to call just to shoot the breeze-he'd probably wanted to make sure I was still breathing.

Lifting my wrist, I kissed the tiny bell dangling there. "Hayden, your buddy's still got my back for you."

By evening, Wayne showed up at the office to pick me up.

Standing in the golden light of sunset, he practically glowed, his whole figure framed like some kind of cinematic shot.

People walking by couldn't help but stare. A few bold girls even called out," Mister, you're so handsome!"

Wayne didn't even blink, his eyes locked on me like the rest of the world had faded to static.

"Looks like you're quite the heartbreaker now," I teased, stepping closer.

His smile was faint. "And you're still as cheeky as ever."

"Any news on Demi?" I asked, the weight of my worry still pressing on me.

"Not yet. If there's news, you'll be the first to know," Wayne said, his tone steady. But then he hesitated. "I've had someone look into her boyfriend." The pause made my stomach twist. "What is it?"

His expression darkened. "The guy's drowning in debt-online loans, high-interest ones. And he's been seeing multiple women at the same time."

I didn't need more than that to connect the dots. Demi's suicide was starting to make a terrible kind of sense.

"Where is he now?" I asked.

"In jail."

I drew in a sharp breath. "Can I see him?"

Wayne nodded. "I'll arrange it," he said, leading me toward his car.

Chapter 627

Sliding into the passenger seat, I noticed a bouquet resting there. It wasn't flashy like roses, but simple and soft-lavender mixed with baby's breath. The kind of arrangement that felt thoughtful, almost calming. Wayne smiled softly, his eyes warm. "I can't give you the stars you want, but I can at least offer you this."

His words were undeniably romantic.

Between the bouquet and the way he spoke, it was clear-Wayne wasn't holding back anymore.

I pushed Demi's situation to the side for a moment, meeting his gaze head-on." Are you trying to pursue me?" I asked bluntly.

He hesitated, just for a second, clearly caught off guard by my directness. Our eyes locked in the rearview mirror, and he didn't flinch. "Rea, I just want to protect you," he said softly.

The words felt layered, their meaning obvious.

Jace's voice surfaced in my mind, sharp and bitter-how he'd told me being with Wayne would humiliate him. That lingering thought pushed me to ask, "Doesn't my past bother you? Aren't you afraid of people talking behind your back, saying things that could embarrass you?"

Wayne stayed quiet for a beat too long, so I pressed on. "And Jace? Aren't you afraid of how he'll react? That he'll turn against you?"

Wayne's smile turned bitter. "Back then, I was afraid of all that-what people would say, how Jace would react. That's why I let so much time pass. Why I missed my chance with you."

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "You should know... my heart belongs to Hayden. Even if..." I hesitated, locking eyes with him. "Even if he's not here anymore."

I said it deliberately, watching for a crack in his composure. But Wayne was stone -cold steady, not a flicker of emotion betraying him.

"Rea," he said softly, "Jace told me what happened to Hayden. I'm sorry-truly sorry-for your loss. I know this isn't the best time to say this, but if I don't speak Chapter 627

up now, I might lose my chance again."

I knew what he meant. He feared Jace would swoop in, taking advantage of the void Hayden had left behind.

And deep down, I knew Wayne had orchestrated Hayden's death, clearing the way for himself. It was sickeningly ironic that he could stand there, proclaiming his devotion while knowing what he'd done.

"Can you accept being with me, knowing my heart is still with Hayden?" I asked, cutting through the moment like a blade.

His steady gaze faltered, just slightly. "Yes," he said finally. "I can accept that. I can accept your heart belongs to Hayden and even your past with Jace. As long as you're by my side, none of that matters Such unwavering devotion.

And yet, it was this very devotion that had killed Hayden.

It hit me. I was a femme fatale.

Chapter 628

When Wayne and I stepped into the Johnston residence, the vibe hit like a cold slap. Jace was there. And from the way his expression curdled the second he saw me, he wasn't thrilled about it either.

Lindey, though? Total opposite. She rushed toward me, tears glinting in her eyes as she dabbed at them. "I've been waiting so long to see you," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

Matthew sat slumped in a rocking chair by the couch. He looked worse than before-thinner, weaker, like he'd aged a decade overnight. When his gaze flicked to mine, it darted away just as quickly, heavy with guilt. Some truths, once out there, can't be stuffed back into the shadows.

"Hi, Matthew," I said evenly, keeping it civil. I'd decided to move on, so I wasn't about to act like he owed me anything.

He gave a slight nod but didn't say a word,

* Jace got up and brushed past Wayne, his voice clipped as he said, "Come with

me."

Jace had never been one to hide how he felt. His anger was like a neon sign- blaring and impossible to miss. Everyone in the room knew exactly what was coming.

Lindey shot me a worried glance, her lips parting like she wanted to say something but couldn't bring herself to.

The silence stretched uncomfortably between us until she finally cracked. "Rea, I've noticed you and Wayne seem to be getting along well?"

"He's pursuing me," I said bluntly. No point dancing around it.

Her face froze, and Matthew went stiff in his chair.

Lindey's mouth twitched a couple of times before she managed, "And you... have you accepted?" The tension in her voice made it clear she wasn't thrilled.

After Jace and I ended things, she'd once hinted that Wayne might be worth considering-something about keeping me "in the family." But now, her

We

hesitation said otherwise, like she wasn'ture anymore.

I could tell what had changed. The truth about everything-our broken past, the betrayal, the quilt was out in the open now, and with it came a storm of second thoughts.

"Not yet," I said calmly. "But it's obvious how deeply he feels for me." I let the moment hang before adding, "You've known that for a long time, haven't you?"

Lindey's face tightened. Of course, she knew. Wayne being sent abroad for four years wasn't random. They'd seen his feelings for me and decided it was easier to ship him off than deal with the drama between the brothers.

"Rea, since you're bringing this up, I won't hold back either. You've been with Jace before. If you were to be with Wayne now, sure, we might brush off what people say, but Jace? He wouldn't be able to."

1 stayed quiet, letting her finish.

Her voice softened, but it was heavy with emotion. "Jace made mistakes. He hurt you in ways he shouldn't have. But he knows that now. He's paid for it-paid dearly. And he still loves you. He wouldn't have risked his life for you if he didn't.

"I know Wayne loves you too. His feelings are just as strong. But you and Jace were together for years. Even when you were with Hayden, I think a part of you still cared for Jace in a way you don't for Wayne."

She took a breath, steadying herself. "Hayden is gone. We all feel that loss. But life moves on. I can see you're ready to take that step forward, and I just hope you'll give Jace another chance. You and Jace have been through so much together. He knows now how precious you are and would only love you more because of it."

When she finally stopped, her eyes lingered on me, waiting for my reaction.

"Lindey," I said, keeping my voice even. "Maybe Jace would love me more now, but Wayne? Wayne has loved me for years without ever wavering. Isn't that true?"

Her lips parted, like she wanted to argue, but instead, she nodded. "Wayne has always been steady. Once he decides on something, he doesn't back down."

"So someone like him," I pressed, "don't you think he's far more reliable than

Chapter 629

"Lindey, betrayal's not a one-and-done deal. If someone screws you over once, they'll do it again. Jace blew his last chance with me. Even if Wayne isn't an option, Jace never will be," I said, shutting down Lindey's last bit of wishful thinking. "You can't pick Wayne either," Matthew finally chimed in from the sidelines.

Oh, shocker. This little intervention? Definitely something he and Lindey cooked up together.

"Matthew," I said with a sharp smile, "newsflash: people are allowed to make their own choices. Crazy, right? Also, does Wayne even know you two are scheming behind his back?"

His expression darkened. "Rea, I know things between us are... beyond repair. You've decided not to hold me accountable, but let's not pretend you don't resent me for everything. If you're mad, aim it at me. But I'm not going to let you be the reason my sons tear each other apart." "Relax, Matthew. I'm not here to play puppet master with your sons," I said, my smile twisting into something bitter. "All I want is a normal life-a partner who actually loves me and a home that feels real. Just for once."

"Rea, if all you want is someone to love you, I could introduce you to someone.

better," Lindey cut in.

"Oh, sure," I said, tilting my head. "But would Wayne be cool with that? Because, fun fact, on the way here, he straight-up told me he only wants me-even if I'm

still hung up on Hayden."

That shut them both up real quick.

They exchanged a glance. Grim expressions? Check. Awkward silence? Double

check.

Lindey eventually spoke, her voice filled with sorrow. "But if you choose Wayne, you'll destroy Jace."

Destroy Jace? Really? Like, what about my Hayden? He was already destroyed- gone, permanently.

I glanced at the doorway, where Jace and Wayne were deep in conversation. Couldn't hear a word, but let's be real-there's a 99% chance i t was about me. Because why wouldn't it be? Probably Jace pulling the same move as Matthew and Lindey, trying to guilt Wayne into backing off.

Two brothers fighting over one girl? Total soap opera vibes. I bet this whole mess was the Johnstons' worst nightmare. I mean, they only took me in to play the good guys after wrecking my parents' lives. And now? The family harmony they'd worked so hard to fake was crumbling.

Karma, am I right? The universe always collects.

"Lindey," I said, keeping my tone steady, "I get what you're trying to say. But this isn't something I can control. If Wayne refuses to let go, what exactly am I supposed to do?"

I shoved the whole mess straight at Wayne-the one guy who'd never let go of his obsession with me. He loved me too much, for too long, until that love turned into something dark and suffocating. His feelings had twisted so badly he didn't even blink at scheming or hurting others-even his own brother-just to clear a path for himself.

That kind of love doesn't just end.

Which is why I made the choice to face Wayne head-on. I needed him to burn everything he had to the ground-because only then could I finish what he started and destroy him, too.

"Keira Kay," Matthew said, using my full name in that stiff, formal tone.

It had been forever since he called me that. I knew immediately what was

coming.

He gripped the sides of his chair, struggling to push himself up. Lindey rushed to help him to the couch across from me.

Once seated, he opened a drawer and pulled out a folder.

"In here is everything you're owed-and a little extra. Sign these, and it's all yours. But there's one condition: you leave this house and stay out of my sons' lives. For good."

23

Chapter 629

I opened the folder, flipping through its contents. A deed for the amusement park, the full earnings from the contract my parents had died for, plus additional compensation. The numbers practically screamed off the page-tens of millions

It was everything. Everything he had to offer.

Matthew was done pretending to care about wealth. To him, money was just dust in the wind now. What he really wanted? Peace. His picture-perfect family fantasy-father and sons, finally at peace.

But what about me?

Because of his selfish greed, I lost everything that mattered. My parents-the two people who truly loved me. My home, my safety. And now, Wayne was just like him, driven by the same selfishness. Wayne had taken Hayden from me, the one person I loved most. Like father, like son. Selfishness runs in the family, and Wayne's just following in Matthew's footsteps.

I lifted the folder, giving it a little shake. "So, you're trying to use this to cut a deal with me, huh?"

"It's not a deal," Matthew said, his voice weighed down with regret. "This was always yours."

Before I could respond, Wayne's voice came from the doorway.

"He's right. It's yours. There's no need for a deal."

Chapter 630

Wayne walked in, ice-cold and ready to throw down. He didn't waste a second before turning on his parents.

Matthew's face darkened. "Wayne, are you really going down this path? Throwing everything away?"

Wayne stared at them, his voice steady yet sharp. "Everything? You mean the scraps you've been throwing me my whole life? Let me spell it out for you. The moment Jace was born, I stopped existing. You made it all about him-your golden child. Meanwhile, I was just... there. Forgotten. Like furniture.

"You let him sleep in your room while I stayed alone in the dark, hiding under a blanket, terrified. But it was always the same excuse, wasn't it? 'He's younger than you.' Newsflash-I was a kid too! Did that ever occur to you?"

Wayne's voice cracked. "It wasn't just the attention. He took everything. Your love, my toys, my clothes-literally everything I cared about. And you? You guilt-tripped me into letting it happen. 'You're the older brother.' That was your catch- all excuse for wrecking my childhood. I learned to give in. To him. Always to him.

His words landed like gut punches, leaving Matthew and Lindey looking like they'd seen a ghost. Wayne's face was tight, but his eyes betrayed years of pain and bitterness, finally spilling out.

"And then," Wayne said, his tone softening, "Rea moved in. From the moment I met her, I liked her. But guess what you did? You told me she was Jace's. That I didn't even have a chance. Once again, I was shoved aside for him."

His gaze lingered on me for a beat. As messed up as his feelings were, I could tell they were real-twisted, sure, but painfully honest.

He pressed on, "You didn't stop there. You handed Jace the company and acted like throwing me a bone was some grand gesture. All it really did was ship me off abroad for four years. Four years! And how many times did you visit? Zero. Not even when Jace got engaged."

Wayne let out a dry laugh. "You thought I didn't notice? That I wouldn't figure it out? You were afraid I'd mess up your perfect little plan. But spoiler alert-it

Chapter 630

+26 BONUS

didn't work. Jace's engagement tanked, and I came back. Did you welcome me home? Of course not. You were too busy panicking that I'd ruin things again."

"But did you ever think about how much that wrecked me? There were so many nights I wondered if I was even your kid. So yeah, I did a DNA test behind your back. Spoiler alert-I am.

"So tell me this: why? Why is Jace the favorite? I was first. You loved me first. When did I become the spare, the one who didn't matter?"

Wayne let out a bitter laugh, his voice tinged with both anger and despair. "Fine. I swallowed all of it. I told myself it's because Jace is more charming, more likable. But now, when he and Rea are no longer a thing and I finally want something for myself, you're still blocking me. All to protect your precious favorite?"

His voice cracked as it rose, trembling with raw emotion. "You say we're both your sons, but why am I the one you throw away every time?"

By the time he was done, Wayne was shaking with rage. The veins in his temples were about to pop. And then, like it couldn't get worse, Jace walked in.

"You think you're cast aside? Maybe take a good look at yourself and figure out why," Jace said.

The tension in the room exploded. Hostility radiated from every corner, the air thick enough to choke on.

I stood there, silent, watching the whole mess unfold. The fact that I was the reason for most of it? Yeah, I noticed. Didn't mean I was about to play mediator. Instead, I let a smirk tug at my lips. "You guys clearly have a lot to unpack. I'll leave you to it."

I grabbed the folder with the assets and turned to Matthew. "Wayne's right-this was mine to begin with. It's not charity, and it's not a bargaining chip."

This wasn't just paper. My parents had literally died for this. So yeah, I was taking it. And even if Matthew hadn't handed it over, I would've fought tooth and nail to get it.

"Rea," Lindey said, her voice shaky.

Chapter 630

I paused, waiting for her to speak, but not was trying, but the words wouldn't leave

"What?" I asked, holding up the folder. "Yo